* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Pinkett
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Informational Hearing - COVID-19 Emergency Spending
For the purpose of inviting the Director of the Department of Finance and other representatives from the Department of Finance to provide the City Council with an update on COVID-19 emergency spending.
body
Recitals
Whereas, Baltimore City is in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic;
Whereas, The pandemic has caused a severe world-wide economic slowdown;
Whereas, The City will likely end this fiscal year with a $42.3 million deficit due to the financial consequences of the pandemic;
Whereas, The City will likely collect $100 million less than anticipated during the fiscal year starting in July due to the pandemic;
Whereas, Baltimore City has tapped into emergency funds to pay for necessities to protect our residents during this dangerous time;
Whereas, Baltimore City will receive financial assistance for emergency spending related to the pandemic from the federal government and the State during this crisis, but this financial assistance will not be enough to offset the economic downturn the City is facing;
Whereas, The City Council needs to know the amount of emergency spending the Finance Department has used so far regarding the pandemic and its economic consequences;
Whereas, The City Council needs to know how the Finance Department approves the use of emergency funds;
Whereas, The City Council needs to know both the dollar amount and the percentage of emergency funds that has been directed towards minority businesses and firms as well as local businesses and firms generally; and
Whereas, The City Council needs a list of all contracts awarded by the Finance Department with emergency funding including the dollar amount of each contract, the name and address of each business awarded a contract, and a description of the services each business awarded a contract provides.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the City Council invites the Director of the Department of Finance and other representatives from the Department of Finance to provide the City Council with an update on COVID-19 emergency spending.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Director of the Department of Finance, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.