Circuit Court administrator objects to $515,000 juror-compensation cut tied to transfer to Baltimore City Police Department

Lionel Moore, the Circuit Court administrator, told the Baltimore City Council budget committee that the court "accepts this year's budget" but raised two exceptions, the most significant being a proposed $515,000 reduction in juror compensation and meals. "The proposed reduction is $515,000," Moore said, adding the change was framed as "a one-time transfer to the Baltimore City Police Department, which the court has requested justification for and has not been provided the justification for that."

Council leaders pressed Moore for more detail about the transfer and its legal basis. Moore said the court was told the change was tied to "House Bill 913," but he said there was "no substantiation under that bill." Council President Cohen pressed that the committee expects clearer documentation when funds are reallocated between agencies. "It is not acceptable for an agency to miss their ... budget hearing," Cohen said in the course of the hearing, arguing the council needs direct answers when budget changes of this size are proposed.

Moore framed the court's objection narrowly: the court does not oppose the overall budget but wants the council to withhold approval of that specific accounting change until the city receives formal justification and statutory basis for the transfer. Councilmembers signaled they may follow up; the committee closed the hearing with a reminder that agencies must notify the committee if they cannot attend scheduled sessions and that outstanding documentation may prompt a follow-up meeting.

The committee did not take a vote on the budget item during the session. Next steps include the council seeking the written justification Moore requested and potentially convening a follow-up discussion to resolve whether the $515,000 reallocation can proceed under the cited legislation or other authority.