* 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 Young
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Legislative Oversight - Departments of City Government
FOR the purpose of instituting a system of regular review of all City agencies, and the Baltimore City Public School System, to ensure that the agencies are operating in line with the stated missions, that there is no duplication of services provided, that the number of employees is consistent with the delivery of services, and to monitor the expenditure of funds to make certain agencies are on task to adhere to their Fiscal Year 2009 and 2010 operating budget targets.
Body Recitals
CC Bill 08-80R- Budget Reconciliation Measures - Out of Town Travel for City Employees, October 27, 2008, stated, in part, that "the downturn in the national economy, the associated local recession, and an increase in public safety efforts are 2 contributing factors leading to a projected $36.5 million shortfall in Baltimore City's budget. To date, the existing shortfall is the result of a projected $15 million drop in recordation and transfer tax revenue combined with a projected $21 million outlay for increased fire and police overtime."
The purpose of the Resolution was to examine the expenditures for, and necessity of, out-of-town travel of City employees to determine if curtailing the practice could result in cost savings that could be substituted for some of the measures that Administration officials planned to institute to address the projected budgetary shortfall - including extending the hiring freeze, reclaiming unspent procurement funds, delaying the implementation of middle management parity raises, and cutback of personnel, services, and training in the Police and Fire Departments.
It was acknowledged that despite efforts of the federal government to address the economic crisis the country faces, the fiscal outlook may not improve for the country, the state, or local government and that to be proactive, it is imperative that officials find the least intrusive methods of addressing further shortfalls. To that end, City agencies were instructed to reach a target level of Fiscal 2010 budget "that delivers the maximum possible results for the available dollars".
A consistent system of ongoing legislative oversight will assist in making certain that agencies remain on track within the target level guidelines while providing an effective delivery of services to the citizens of Baltimore.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body will institute a system of regular review of all City agencies, and the Baltimore City Public School System to ensure that the agencies are operating in line with the stated missions, that there is no duplication of services provided, that the number of employees is consistent with the delivery of services, and to monitor the expenditure of funds to make certain agencies are on task to adhere to their Fiscal Year 2009 and 2010 operating budget targets.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Director of Finance, the Chief of the Bureau of Budget and Management Research, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
dlr 08-0586~intro/09Jan09
ccres/Oversight/nf
dlr 08-0586~intro/09Jan09
??2??
ccres/Oversight/nf