By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Mayor Brandon M. Scott (D) held a fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget town hall on May 6 at Coppin State University. Residents heard from city officials about what’s in the budget and how it may impact them. Attendees also had the opportunity to voice concerns about the budget and neighborhood matters.
At the top of the town hall, Scott explained the state of the budget and potential looming setbacks.
“We put forth a fiscally balanced budget that met the needs of our city in light of all the things that we know are happening in the world,” said Scott. “Given the uncertainty that we’re facing, especially at the federal level, we have to understand that what we have done so far might not matter, and we might have to change.”
Scott noted how federal cuts and rollbacks are already trickling down, affecting the city.
“They’ve already made what we think are irresponsible, messy cuts to programs that feed the elderly, fund schools, support violence reduction across the city and they are just beginning,” said Scott. “We will do everything in our power to handle that possibility and fight in every way that we can. But, I need everyone here to take back to your fellow community members and family members to understand those impacts that are coming from this administration’s reckless behavior.”
Scott rolled out his $4.6 billion preliminary fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget on April 2, facing an $85 million deficit. He emphasized how the proposal balances that deficit without cutting services, layoffs or furloughs.
The budget was balanced by increasing general fund revenue, restructuring contracts and equipment budgets, raising certain fees, removing miscellaneous funds and vacant positions, and using grants to cover some costs.
Instead of a Q-and-A, the town hall included small group discussions at six tables with agency heads. Topics included neighborhood development, clean and healthy communities, prioritizing youth, public safety, the capital budget and responsible stewardship.
Khalil Zaied, director of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works, led the clean and healthy communities table. Baltimore resident Erica Fowlkes raised concerns about her water quality.
“I’ve noticed that in the mornings my water smells like bleach and rotten eggs,” said Fowlkes. “I don’t even use the water to cook and drink. I buy bottled water.”
Zaied assured her the water quality in the city is good, but acknowledged infrastructure issues.
“Every once in a while, there is a need to add additional chlorine to the water; it is a practice we do on a regular basis that is not unique to Baltimore,” said Zaied. “We have to admit that some of our pipes are old. the travel of the water from the treatment plant to your home, the problem could be anywhere.”
Community activist Kim Trueheart asked about youth employment for those not placed through YouthWorks. John David “J.D.” Merril, Baltimore City’s interim deputy mayor of equity, health and human services, responded.
“We received around 13,000 applications,” said Merril. “We have the same number of slots–8,500–as we had last summer. Just as when you apply to college, you apply to several different colleges and then you pick one offer. Young people often apply for multiple jobs. There’s a drop-off between the number of people who apply and the people who get employment.”
Merril added that 8,500 jobs meet the need, and all youth who needed work through the city in summer 2024 received it.
Baltimore City Budget Director Laura Larsen said the Board of Estimates will pass its approved version of the budget on May 7.
“From there, it will get referred out to committee within the city council, and that allows them to have hearings with city agencies where they can talk more in-depth about the recommendations in the budget,” said Larsen.
The preliminary budget will then be handed off to the Baltimore City Council, which will introduce it on May 12. Then, on May 15, the Council will host a taxpayers night, “where residents can come in and can provide additional feedback and testimony about things that they’re seeing in the budget,” Larsen said.
Further hearings on the matter will be held May 28–June 4 and the budget finalized by June 26.