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Baltimore council hears FY26 first‑quarter projection showing small general‑fund gap and large public safety deficits
Summary
City budget staff told the Council's Budget & Appropriations Committee the FY26 first‑quarter projection shows a $3.3 million general‑fund deficit driven by a $12.4 million expenditure shortfall; revenue surpluses in income and property taxes partly offset the gap, while large projected deficits remain in police and fire budgets.
Chairwoman Danielle McCray convened the Baltimore City Council Budget & Appropriations Committee to hear the city's first‑quarter fiscal 2026 budget projection. "We are projecting a $3,300,000 deficit in the city's general fund," City Budget Director Laura Larson said, attributing the gap to a $12.4 million projected expenditure deficit offset in part by a $9.1 million revenue surplus.
Larson told council members the largest revenue upside is income tax: the administration budgeted $493 million for FY26 but now projects $510 million, "which would result in a $16,500,000 surplus." Property tax revenue is also modestly above budget, with the FY26 property tax estimate rising from $1.2 billion to $1.21…
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