Explanation: Capitals indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* 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
(Charter Amendment)
Introduced by: Councilmember Scott
A Resolution Entitled
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council concerning
title
Charter Amendment - Equity Assistance Fund
For the purpose of authorizing the establishment of a continuing, nonlapsing Equity Assistance Fund, to be used exclusively to assist efforts that reduce inequity based on race, gender, or economic status in Baltimore; requiring that the annual Ordinance of Estimates include a specified appropriation for the Equity Assistance Fund; and submitting this amendment to the qualified voters of the City for adoption or rejection.
body
By proposing to add
Article I - General Provisions
Section 15
Baltimore City Charter
(1996 Edition)
Section 1. Be it resolved by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, That the City Charter is proposed to be amended to read as follows:
Baltimore City Charter
Article I. General Provisions
§ 15. Special fund for equity assistance.
(a) Authorization.
(1) By Ordinance, the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore may establish a continuing, nonlapsing fund for purposes of assisting efforts that reduce inequity based on race, gender, or economic status in Baltimore.
(2) These purposes include supporting and augmenting programs and activities that are designed to:
(i) provide equity in housing;
(ii) provide equitable access to education;
(iii) assist efforts to redress past inequities in City capital budget spending; and
(iv) eliminating structural and institutional racism and other forms of discrimination based on immutable characteristics.
(b) Revenue sources.
The fund established under this section may consist of:
(1) a mandatory annual appropriation in the Ordinance of Estimates of an amount equal to at least 3% of the amount appropriated for the Police Department of Baltimore City; and
(2) grants or donations made to the fund.
(c) Continuing nature of fund.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter, unspent portions of the fund established under this section:
(1) remain in the fund, to be used exclusively for their ordained purposes;
(2) do not revert to the general revenues of the City; and
(3) their appropriations do not lapse.
Section 2. And be it further resolved, That this proposed amendment to the City Charter be submitted to the legal and qualified voters of Baltimore City, for adoption or rejection, in accordance with Article XI-A, § 5 of the Maryland Constitution, in the form specified by the City Solicitor.