Baltimore projects $8.2 million general‑fund shortfall as revenues, costs shift in third quarter

Baltimore’s budget director told the City Council Budget and Appropriations Committee that the city still faces a projected $8.2 million general‑fund deficit for fiscal 2025 after third‑quarter updates through March 31.

The information matters because the gap persists despite an improved revenue outlook: the finance team reported a $37.1 million revenue surplus driven by higher personal property, transfer and recordation taxes, and more highway user disbursements, while expenditures grew because of public‑safety overtime, recently ratified contracts for sworn personnel and winter‑storm response costs.

City Budget Director Laura Larson said the city’s third‑quarter picture is “essentially very consistent with what we were projecting at the second quarter.” She told the committee…