Deborah Harrison Brandes

The committee held a budget and appropriations hearing to discuss the fiscal year 2027 ordinance of estimate for the Board of Liquor License Commissioners. Topics included legislative changes concerning liquor license operational hours and personal property tax deadlines, as well as a new memorandum of understanding with the sheriff's office. The Board highlighted performance measures, including renewal statistics, inspector-to-licensee ratios, and the enforcement of liquor laws, emphasizing a commitment to public safety and responsive constituent complaint resolution.

The committee held a hearing regarding the FY2027 capital budget, focusing on infrastructure investment and the capital improvement program process. Discussions covered coordination between city agencies for project delivery, the sources of funding including utility revenue and discretionary funds, and strategies for state of good repair and vacancy reduction. Specific inquiries were raised regarding the compost facility project at Bowleys Lane and its role in reducing reliance on current disposal facilities.

The committee reviewed the fiscal year 2027 budget for the Baltimore City Fire Department. The discussion covered the department's strategic approach to proactive service delivery, including investments in fire prevention, emergency medical services, code enforcement, and data-driven risk identification. Presentations were made regarding specific service areas such as executive leadership, fire protection, EMS operations, fire code enforcement, and fire communications. Additionally, the committee discussed workforce staffing and training initiatives, the use of technology and simulations, and the department's focus on trauma-informed care for its personnel.

The committee reviewed the performance and budget appropriations of the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals (BMZA). Key topics included staff vacancy impacts on resolution timelines, technological modernizations such as paperless case files and online appointment booking, and efforts to improve public notice and transparency. Future priorities were discussed, including filling staff positions, improving process efficiency, reforming alley and footway appeal procedures, and better coordination regarding zoning code updates and affordable housing projects.

The committee held an agency budget hearing for the Baltimore Development Corporation regarding the fiscal year 2027 budget. Key discussions focused on the organization's restructured framework, its mission to foster an inclusive and equitable economy, and current challenges in meeting economic development performance targets. The committee questioned the corporation's strategy for job creation, support for small and minority-owned businesses, and the potential implementation of equity investments in local businesses, while also discussing the management of city-owned assets like hotels.