Baltimore liquor board seeks staff and tech investments after new settlement program and enforcement push

The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City told the City Council Budget and Appropriations Committee on Day 3 of budget hearings that it plans to expand enforcement, outreach and licensing services next fiscal year but needs additional staff and resources to fully implement the changes.

Douglas K. Page, executive secretary for the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City, opened the presentation by describing the agency’s responsibilities: “The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City is tasked with enforcing and regulating the rules and state law governing alcoholic beverage” sales and, separately, adult entertainment licensing.

In a detailed overview, Deputy Executive Secretary and general counsel Michelle Wurzberger said the board created a monetary‑penalty‑in‑lieu‑of‑hearings program that went into effect after Sept. 20 and has been used in 21 cases so far. “To date, we have offered 21 settlements. Two were denied. We’re waiting for three to come in,” Wurzberger told the committee. She said the program has collected roughly $14,000 to date and will be refreshed this summer to reflect recent legislative changes.

Why it matters: the board said the program speeds resolution of many violations that previously took months to reach a hearing and eases the burden on witnesses and staff. Wurzberger and staff also emphasized that the settlement option excludes the most serious offenses — for example, sales to minors, alleged human‑trafficking…