Mayor Scott's Statement on Passage of FY 2022 Budget
Wednesday Jun 9th, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BALTIMORE, MD (Tuesday, June 8, 2021) — After the City Council Ways and Means Committee unanimously passed the Mayor’s Fiscal 2022 budget on Monday, the Baltimore City Council unanimously voted to adopt the budget. Mayor Brandon M. Scott released the following statement:
“You can determine a great deal about a city simply by looking through its budget. From immediate necessities to long standing priorities, a budget offers an intimate glimpse into how a city truly sees itself and what it values. Appropriately, Fiscal 2022 candidly reflects the aspirations, plights, and essential needs of diverse Baltimore residents withstanding the blow from COVID-19.
“Thanks to the Baltimore City Council for their leadership and commitment throughout this process. Though this budget is not perfect and hard choices were made, the City Council worked closely with my administration to produce a fiscal blueprint that every Baltimore resident can see themselves in and be proud of. Moreover, our collective efforts resulted in a tangible product that allows Baltimoreans to visibly make out the promising direction of our great City.
“I vowed during the State of the City address to restore faith in City Hall and prove that local government can operate effectively and efficiently in the public’s best interest. The swift, unanimous support in passing this budget is a clear and direct sign of progress.”
Fiscal 2022 Highlights:
- Maintains critical City services.
- Restores two graffiti removal crews, which were cut in the Fiscal 2021 budget.
- Maintains base property tax rate at $2.24 per $100, and preserves 20 Cents by 2020 reductions for owner-occupied properties.
- Utilizes $52 million of CARES and FEMA aid to support continuing COVID-19 response.
- Leverages City funds to access State weatherization resources, enabling the completion of 500 additional home projects.
- Continues implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
Fiscal 2022 City Employee Highlights:
- $1.0M of Federal aid for cleaning and disinfecting City buildings.
- $0.5M for additional PPE purchases.
- $0.9M for employee screening and telework.
- $0.4M for employee COVID testing.
- No pay freeze requests to City unions; No furloughs or layoffs.
Click here to learn more about the Mayor’s 2022 Fiscal Budget.