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Board approves $39,047.66 payment for expanded task-force consulting work; state funding expected for next phase
Summary
The Board of Estimates approved payment of $39,047.66 for additional consultant work supporting the Baltimore Regional Task Force; DPW officials and the task-force chair said an expanded state appropriation and draft MOU with the state Department of the Environment should help cover future costs.
The Board of Estimates on Aug. 6 approved $39,047.66 to cover additional consultant work supporting the Baltimore Regional Task Force formed under state bill HB843.
Deputy Director Allen Robinson of the Department of Public Works described an unauthorized procurement invoice of $39,047.66 submitted after a consultant led an additional internal meeting Jan. 8 and completed a final report due Jan. 30. Robinson said the expanded scope and urgency of the extra meeting led the consultant to proceed and submit the final invoice when the financial impact was initially unknown. The clerk’s opening remarks listed SB2512498 with the $39,047.66 amount.
A board member identified in the record as the task‑force chair said the commission requested the extra meeting and acknowledged surprise that the additional meeting and final report together generated the $39,000 cost; the chair said the expectation had been that the final report would be part of the original scope. Acting Director of Public Works Matthew Garbark noted the state has appropriated funding and that a draft memorandum of understanding with the Maryland Department of the Environment should help share costs in the next iteration of the task force.
The board approved the payment by voice vote; the agency and task force members said they will learn from the procurement and scope‑management issues as they plan the next phase.
