Mayor Scott Unveils Budget: Big Promises for Safety & More

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott opened the floor to the people on Tuesday, hosting a town hall to pull back the curtain on his preliminary city budget—and according to him, it’s a plan that doesn’t raise taxes but does raise the bar.

In front of residents eager for answers and action, the mayor laid it out plainly: “This budget, of course, we closed the $85 million gap with no cuts to services. We did not, and are not, going to raise income or property taxes in this budget, while expanding some of the core things that we need.”

That “core” centers heavily around young people and public safety.

Inside the Budget: An Investment Pushing Baltimore Forward

The proposal invests nearly $625 million into youth-centered services like YouthWorks, expanded rec centers, and the BMORE Healthy Babies Program. It also pumps $1.2 billion into public safety—covering programs like the Group Violence Reduction Strategy and street-level traffic and parking efforts.

But it doesn’t stop there. Nearly $346 million is on the table for equitable neighborhood development—think tackling vacant housing, boosting arts and culture, and powering up the BMORE F.A.S.T. initiative. That includes the creation of a brand-new Mayor’s Office of Art, Culture, and Entertainment, aimed at giving Baltimore’s creative heartbeat more visibility and support.

Tuesday night’s town hall wasn’t just a presentation—it was a conversation. Residents broke into small groups to voice their concerns and dig into the specifics. Clyde Barrett, a city resident, praised the effort: “I think the mayor’s approach is a balanced approach. There are more things that we’d like to do, but based on the allocation of funds, we just have to do what’s best.”

Veronica Johnson, a recently laid-off former federal employee, said she appreciated the youth and public safety focus but called for more support for workers like her. “We need that public safety and youth support—but we also need opportunities for people who’ve been let go, like federal workers, to bounce back.”

Federal grants play a key role in this year’s blueprint, with about $202 million coming from those sources. But Mayor Scott knows there’s uncertainty in D.C. and said Baltimore may have to pivot if those funds shift. “Right now, many of those grants seem to be solid based on what’s happening now. But if not—we’ll come back and make the adjustments,” he said.

Progress is On the Horizon

The budget also includes updates to outdated fee structures, including EMS transport, taxi fees, and landfill tipping costs—small changes that could help modernize the city’s systems without squeezing the people.

One thing’s for sure: the conversation around Baltimore’s future is just getting started. And this budget? It’s aiming to spark more than just debate—it’s aiming to spark progress.

Mayor Scott Unveils New Budget: Big Promises for Youth, Safety, & More  was originally published on rone92q.staging.go.ione.nyc