BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Baltimore City leaders are pushing a sweeping update to the city’s charter, a document that is more than a century old and has seen substantial changes only twice in modern history, most recently in 1994.
The proposed legislation, introduced Monday at Baltimore City Hall, is a slate of amendments that lawmakers say would restructure and “modernize” city government. Councilman John Bullock, who represents District 9, said, “Some of the changes we’re looking at are really to give the council a stronger, more precise set of tools to do its job.”
City Council President Zeke Cohen outlined the amendments before introducing the bill during the City Council meeting. Cohen said, “The charter is the people’s document…” and added, “This is about making sure Baltimoreans get the best government possible…”
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The amendments follow Cohen’s directive six months ago to the council’s charter review committee, which included input from residents. Councilman Ryan Dorsey, who represents District 3 and chairs the committee, presented a report on the work. Dorsey said, “One of the things that we take away from any substantial dive into the city’s charter is how much of the content in there should never be in a city charter to begin with.”
The proposed changes span several articles of the charter and address how the city manages its budget, the procurement process and permit procedures, among other issues.
On procurement — how the city buys goods and services — Councilman Jermaine Jones of District 12 said the current charter language limits the city’s contracting options. “For too long, the city has been constrained by a charter requirement that locks us into a low-bid contracting only, a model that in practice often prioritizes the lowest price over the best value or the most qualified vendor or the outcomes that matter the most to city residents,” Jones said.
On the budget process, Councilwoman Odette Ramos of District 14 said the proposal would give the council more time to review and discuss the city’s budget plan during that process. “And so, what our proposed change is an additional 30 days so that we have 70 days 60 to 70 days to be able to work through get all the input that we need and be able to have productive and meaningful discussions around the budget with our agencies and with mayor’s office,” Ramos said.
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On permits, Councilman Zac Blanchard of District 11 pointed to what he described as unnecessary hurdles for small businesses. “Something as straightforward as a small business owner getting approval to post a sign or set up a sidewalk display requires Board of Estimates approval. This is an absurd level of red tape,” Blanchard said.
Asked whether the changes would save taxpayers money, Cohen said, “Well look these changes will make it so that we have a honest and deliberative debate when it comes to the budget.” He added, “So I would say the change that we are looking to do makes it a more efficient effective structured government and gives the council the opportunity to fight On behalf of residents.”
The bill will now move through the City Council process. If it passes, Baltimore residents would still have the final say: the proposed charter amendments would go to voters on the November 2026 ballot.
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