BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Mayor Brandon Scott is seeking to expand Baltimore City Hall’s mayoral staff to a level that would make it larger than the governor’s office, according to his preliminary budget proposal.
Scott is proposing 16 new positions for the mayor’s office, which would bring the total staff to 134.
City Councilman Yitzy Schleifer said the mayor’s priorities are misplaced.
“We have so many agencies strapped that need extra help, need new equipment and instead that money is going toward their administration for record level staffing. I’m not sure how they can fit 134 people in those offices,” he said.
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The size of the mayor’s office has grown significantly over the past decade. Ten years ago, there were 39 staffers working in the mayor’s office. When Scott became mayor, staffing increased, and by 2025 there were 105 staff members. This year, the number rose to 118. The proposed 16 additional positions would bring the total to 134.
“Government is not a place where you get rich,” Schleifer said. “What we’re seeing is people getting these positions who are not qualified for these positions. And they’re getting record salaries for those positions and the taxpayers are paying for it.”
Former Mayor Jack Young, who served seven years ago, said his office employed fewer than 100 people and questions the need for additional staff now.
“I’d love to have them, but what would their job responsibilities be?” Young asked. “I didn’t need a special adviser for my office. Why do I need a special adviser when I have department heads?”
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The proposed expansion of the mayor’s office comes as other city departments see staff reductions under the preliminary budget. The plan calls for eight fewer staffers at the fire department and 32 fewer staffers at the police department. Public Works would lose 144 positions.
Schleifer said the additional revenue needed to fund the mayor’s proposed positions should instead be used to reduce property taxes.
“Maybe the mayor’s office doesn’t need another $4 million. Maybe the mayor’s office budget should not have doubled since this administration took office. Maybe that money should go to reducing property taxes, and that’s really what it should be doing,” Schleifer said.
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