Baltimore residents grill Board of Estimates over needs, equity during “Taxpayers’ Night”

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Baltimore leaders unveiled a preliminary $3.9 billion budget plan for next fiscal year, igniting a new fight over funding.

At “Taxpayers’ Night” on Wednesday night, members of Baltimore’s Board of Estimates heard from residents who argued the spending plan should better reflect community needs.

One speaker told leaders, “I’m here because budgets are moral documents.”

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Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen echoed that theme, saying, “Budgets are not just numbers, they’re a statement of our values.”

Residents pressed for funding across a range of issues, from neighborhood investments to environmental concerns.

“I just want to see a budget that sees favor to some of the grass roots initiatives,” housing advocate Christina Flowers said.

Another taxpayer questioned the board’s commitment to the environment saying, “You don’t have our backs. We’d like to breathe clean air here.”

Residents from every corner of the city argued that their needs have been ignored.

“There’s a renaissance going on, but not in Belair-Edison. We need a community center in Belair-Edison,” Rita Crews, President of the Belair-Edison community, said.

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In Forest Park, community leaders asked for repairs to a crumbling senior center which, they said, were promised years ago.

“I’ve called several numbers, offices and agencies, I’ve sent emails for help. I have gotten no call back in a year and the sicker my husband gets the madder I get,” Tessa Hill Aston told the board.

Frustration over inequity also surfaced during the meeting. Towson University Professor Nicole Fabricant addressed Mayor Brandon Scott directly, saying, “Mayor Scott you grew up in this city, so I have to ask you how do you sleep at night knowing we live in an apartheid city?”

Residents made both large and small requests, but no promises were made during the session. The $3.9 billion dollar budget would be the largest in Baltimore’s history.