BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Baltimore officials say an unusually brutal winter and soaring overtime costs have pushed the city’s current budget into a $64.4 million deficit, forcing leaders to tap reserve funds despite stronger-than-expected tax revenue.
Finance officials told the Baltimore City Council on Tuesday that cleanup costs tied to four snowstorms — along with overtime spending in the police and fire departments — wiped out what had been projected as a $19.6 million surplus earlier this fiscal year.
The city’s expenditure deficit ballooned to $129.8 million in the second quarter, about $101.3 million worse than projected, according to Deputy Finance Director Bob Cenamme. The largest hit came from emergency winter operations that kept crews working around the clock for weeks.
“Even in the best planned environment, you’re going to hit a storm that’s going to go beyond what you’re budgeted for,” Cenamme told council members. “That’s why we have reserves.”
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