BALTIMORE (WBFF) — A major expansion proposed for Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s office is drawing criticism at City Hall, as critics question why more pressing needs aren’t being addressed.
In the preliminary budget released this month, the mayor is calling for 16 additional positions in his office. If approved, the mayor’s office would grow to 134 employees, up from 39 employees 10 years ago. The mayor’s budget would rise to $29 million.
Critics argue the expansion would make the mayor’s office larger than the governor’s office, despite the difference in population served. “It really smacks at fiefdom more than anything,” said Political Analyst John Dedie. “When you’re a mayor of 570,000 people and want a staff larger than the governor who has 10-million people he’s responsible for. Something is out of whack.”
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The proposed size and cost of Baltimore’s mayoral operation is far greater than most other cities of similar size. In Portland, Oregon, the mayor’s office operates with nine staffers and a $3.4 million budget. In Pittsburgh, 27 people staff the mayor’s office, which operates on a $2.5 million budget.
City Councilman Yitzy Schleifer said the additional funding should be used to reduce property taxes instead. “It just shows priorities are in the wrong places,” Schleifer said. “There is enough money right now to lower the property taxes below 2-percent for the first time in my lifetime and that’s what needs to happen.”
The mayor’s office said eight of the 16 positions would be funded with private contributions. In a statement, a spokesman for the mayor’s office writes, “Each of these positions play a significant role in Mayor Scotts work to improve the quality of life for Baltimore residents.”
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Still, questions remain about the need for the additional hires. “The question is what are they going to be doing that isn’t already doing now. What is the why behind having to expand staff…?” Dedie said.
Some taxpayers, however, believe there are misplaced priorities. “I don’t really get it. We got a bunch of abandoned buildings. We’ve got homeless people why aren’t we pouring into that?” said Ebony Diggs.
“I think right now people look at all the cuts going on and wonder why the mayor isn’t tightening his belt,” said Dedie.
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