Baltimore City committee advances 10 supplemental bills to close out FY25; all move to Nov. 10 second reader
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Summary
The Budget & Appropriations Committee voted unanimously on a package of 10 supplemental appropriations to reconcile FY25 agency deficits using a preliminary $66.6 million revenue surplus; the package advances to second reader Nov. 10. Committee members pressed agencies for follow-up on specific items, including streetlighting and forestry.
The Baltimore City Council Budget & Appropriations Committee on Oct. 29 voted to advance a package of 10 supplemental appropriation bills intended to bring fiscal 2025 agency budgets into balance, the committee chair said.
The committee’s action follows a presentation by City Budget Director Laura Larson, who said preliminary, unaudited FY25 closeout work shows a $66.6 million general fund revenue surplus driven by stronger-than-expected income tax receipts and higher property tax collections. At the same time, agencies incurred roughly $53.5 million in expenditure overages, leaving an estimated $13.1 million net surplus before final audit adjustments.
Why it matters: The supplemental bills appropriate funds to reconcile those agency overages so the city can complete the FY25 financial statements and meet the charter requirement to close the year in balance.
Key details
- The administration and finance staff told the committee the supplemental package is funded from the Municipal Telephone Exchange fund balance and other internal revenue surpluses realized in FY25. - Larson identified the major drivers of FY25 agency deficits: Fire Department ($38.5 million, driven by contract and overtime costs); Police Department ($47.5 million, driven by contract and overtime); Baltimore City Public Schools ($12.9 million, tied to the City Springs contribution); Recreation & Parks ($5.6 million, including response to Camp Small); Sheriff’s Office ($3.4 million, including fleet costs); Department of Transportation ($4.5 million, largely snow removal). Smaller overages included the Liquor License Board ($454,000) and the Law Department ($81,000). - The administration said it has instituted tighter purchasing and hiring controls for FY26, including lower thresholds for manual budget checks and requirements that agencies provide offsets for unplanned procurements and new positions.
Votes at a glance (committee roll-call; all moved favorably to second reader Nov. 10)
- Council Bill 205-599 — Municipal Telephone Exchange Fund operating appropriation (Municipal Telephone Exchange Service 133) — $1,400,000. Moved: Vice President Stern Green Middleton. Vote: McCray Yes; Schleifer Yes; Middleton Yes; Gray Yes; Glover Yes. Outcome: approved.
- Council Bill 25-0109 — Supplementary special grant fund operating appropriation, Mayor’s Office of Employment Development — $300,000 (state grant acceptance). Moved: Councilmember Paris Gray (amendment moved by Vice President Middleton). Vote: McCray Yes; Schleifer Yes; Middleton Yes; Gray Yes; Glover No. Outcome: approved (4–1).
- Council Bill 25-0105 — Supplementary general fund operating appropriation, Baltimore City Public Schools — $12,911,344. Moved: Vice President Middleton. Vote: McCray Yes; Schleifer Yes; Middleton Yes; Gray Yes; Glover Yes. Outcome: approved.
- Council Bill 205-106 — Supplementary general fund operating appropriation, Fire Department. Moved: Councilmember Antonio Glover. Vote: McCray Yes; Schleifer Yes; Middleton Yes; Gray Yes; Glover Yes. Outcome: approved.
- Council Bill 205-107 — Supplementary general fund operating appropriation, Law Department. Moved: Councilmember Antonio Glover. Vote: McCray Yes; Schleifer Yes; Middleton Yes; Gray Yes; Glover Yes. Outcome: approved.
- Council Bill 205-108 — Supplementary general fund operating appropriation, Liquor License Board. Moved: Councilmember Antonio Glover. Vote: McCray Yes; Schleifer Yes; Middleton Yes; Gray Yes; Glover Yes. Outcome: approved.
- Council Bill 25-0110 — Supplementary general fund operating appropriation, Police Department. Moved: Councilmember Antonio Glover. Vote: McCray Yes; Schleifer Yes; Middleton Yes; Gray Yes; Glover Yes. Outcome: approved.
- Council Bill 205-111 — Supplementary new journal fund operating appropriation, Department of Recreation & Parks. Moved: Vice President Middleton. Vote: McCray Yes; Schleifer Yes; Middleton Yes; Gray Yes; Glover Yes. Outcome: approved.
- Council Bill 205-112 — Supplementary general fund operating appropriation, Sheriff’s Office — $3,400,000 (approx.). Moved: Councilmember Antonio Glover. Vote: McCray Yes; Schleifer Yes; Middleton Yes; Gray Yes; Glover Yes. Outcome: approved.
- Council Bill 205-113 — Supplementary general fund operating appropriation, Department of Transportation. Moved: Vice President Middleton. Vote: McCray Yes; Schleifer Yes; Middleton Yes; Gray Yes; Glover Yes. Outcome: approved.
Committee questions and follow-up
Committee members pressed agencies for additional detail on several items. Councilman Paris Gray and Vice President Middleton sought more forward-planning and clearer coordination between Recreation & Parks, forestry, DOT and BGE to reduce recurring supplementals and project delays. Assistant Sheriff Nicholas Lehi apologized to the committee for arriving late and outlined steps the Sheriff’s Office is taking to avoid future coordination errors.
Councilman Isaac Schleifer led extended questioning of the Department of Transportation about its streetlighting program (see separate item). DOT committed to a written follow-up providing a detailed streetlight budget breakout, current LED inventory status, a timeline for LED deliveries, and clarifications about responsibilities shared with BGE and 311 intake routing.
What’s next
All ten bills were reported favorably and will go to the full City Council for second reader on Nov. 10. The budget director said the figures presented were preliminary and unaudited; final FY25 financial statements may change after the formal closeout process and audit work.
