Committee advances $280M bond package for housing, schools, parks and infrastructure

The Baltimore City Council Budget & Appropriations Committee voted to move four bond‑authorization bills favorably to second reader, advancing a proposed $280 million loan authorization the administration says will fund affordable housing, schools, community and economic development projects and public infrastructure.

Why it matters: the four ballot questions together would authorize $280 million across two fiscal years—$22 million for affordable housing, $60 million for schools, $50 million for community and economic development, and $148 million for public infrastructure—money officials said would underwrite projects such as school system renovations, parks and rec centers, libraries, street and sidewalk work, solid‑waste facilities and housing preservation/production.

Planning Department staff said the 2026 loan authorization process is routine but noted uncertainties that could affect program financing, including future state highway‑user revenue levels and the amount of state funding tied to vacancy‑reduction initiatives. Staff emphasized the package is designed to provide flexibility across public‑infrastructure and community‑development priorities.

Agency reports: agency representatives from Baltimore Development Corporation, Department of Housing & Community Development, Department of Transportation, Department of General Services, Recreation & Parks, Baltimore City Public Schools, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Finance and Law all reported their bill reports as favorable in committee.

Committee vote: each of the four council bills (26‑0179; 26‑0180; 26‑0181; 26‑0182) was moved favorably in committee and will go to second reader at the council’s May 11 meeting. Committee roll calls recorded four yays and one excused/absent for each motion.

What’s next: the bills advance to the full council’s second reader on May 11; if approved there they would go through remaining legislative steps and ultimately could appear on the November ballot as part of voter authorization for general obligation bonds.

Details: Planning staff provided a breakdown of eligible uses for each question (examples: acquisition, preservation and production for housing; systemic school improvements such as HVAC and fire‑suppression systems; parks and recreation and library capital for public infrastructure). The planning presentation also compared the proposed authorization with prior loan authorizations to show the city’s increasing capital investment consistent with the 10‑year financial plan.

The committee recessed after the votes and adjourned following the moving of all four measures.