City Council Hearing: FY2027 Sheriff's Department; June 3, 2026

The City Council hearing held on June 3, 2026, by the CharmTV Citizens' Hub focused on the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office FY2027 budget and operational update. The sheriff detailed a recently ratified collective bargaining agreement providing a 17% salary increase over three years to improve recruitment and retention amid staffing challenges. The office highlighted nearly $700,000 in grant funding supporting violence prevention, overdose response, firearm safety, and community engagement programs, which help expand services without increasing taxpayer burden. A significant $3 million appropriation from Maryland courts was noted to support courthouse security positions, aiming to reduce overtime costs by hiring dedicated staff. The sheriff also discussed the reduction of evictions by 38%, attributed to enhanced due process and community partnerships, and emphasized the office's expanded role in neighborhood services, including enforcement actions against illegal tobacco and alcohol sales. Council members requested more transparent and regular reporting of the sheriff's office activities and metrics, proposing quarterly oversight hearings to better track performance and budget adherence. The meeting included discussions on grant funding, budget impacts of the labor contract, and the sheriff's office's community partnerships and public safety contributions.