* 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
Budget Reconciliation Measures - Out-of-Town Travel for City Employees
FOR the purpose of requesting the Director of Finance and the Chief, Bureau of the Budget & Management Research to report to the City Council on the amount of general fund revenue spent for out-of-state travel for City employees last fiscal year, the year-to-date and projected spending for the current fiscal year, and the impact on the budget shortfall if out-of-state travel is disallowed for the rest of this fiscal year.
Body
Recitals
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.
Administration officials plan to address most of the shortfall - $18.9 million - by extending a hiring freeze; $6.1 million will saved by reclaiming unspent procurement funds; $2.2 million will not be expended for middle-management raises to gain parity with surrounding subdivisions; and the remaining $10.8 million in savings will result from cutbacks of personnel, services, and training in the Police and Fire Departments.
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. To be proactive, it is imperative that officials find the least intrusive methods of addressing further shortfalls. Exploring the effect of prohibiting out-of-state travel paid for with general funds would appear to satisfy the requirement for minimal impact on City employees who are already bearing the brunt of the government's economic hardship.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Director of Finance and the Chief, Bureau of Budget & Management Research are requested to report to the City Council on the amount of general fund revenue spent for out-of-state travel for City employees last fiscal year, the year-to-date and projected spending for the current fiscal year, and the impact on the budget shortfall if out-of-state travel is disallowed for the rest of this fiscal year.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Directors, Commissioners, and Executive Directors of Baltimore City government are invited to attend the hearing on this Resolution.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Director of Finance, the Chief, Bureau of Budget & Management Research, the Directors, Commissioners, and Executive Directors of Baltimore City government, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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