HRC commissioners press staff for clarity on $10,000 annual budget as signature event stalled

Commissioners told staff at the Oct. 17 meeting that uncertainty about how to access the commission’s $10,000 annual budget hindered planning for a signature community event and other outreach materials.

Subcommittee chairs said they had secured community partners, food vendors and a venue (Randallstown Community Center) and had pending Eventbrite interest for roughly 150 attendees before the in-person event was postponed. "We reached out to several county organizations that were willing to participate ... and we even utilized the Randallstown Community Center," a subcommittee chair said, describing a largely community-driven plan that paused because commissioners lacked clear authority or process to spend the funds before the calendar-year deadline.

Director Rashawn Bridal said a formal protocol for requesting and approving HRC funds is under review and that he expects a written document by the next meeting; he declined to provide a precise remaining balance until the review is complete. Chair Thornton put the matter on the record, saying commissioners had asked about the budget repeatedly since February 2025 and that delays had precluded the commission from doing approved work.

Staff also reported that a new HRC trifold brochure has been finalized and approved by the Office of Law; staff said the brochure can be posted to the commission website in digital form, translated into multiple languages and that the division is working with the Baltimore County Public Library’s media services on an orientation/training video.

What’s next: Bridal said staff will finalize the budget-access protocol and provide the commission with documented steps by the next meeting; subcommittees agreed to propose event parameters and report back.