BALTIMORE, MD. (Monday, November 21, 2022) - Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Bureau of the Budget and Management Research (BBMR) Director Laura Larsen announced a series of information sessions designed to directly engage the public in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget process. The sessions will begin in December and carry on into the new calendar year.

Work is underway to prepare the City of Baltimore's Fiscal Year 2024 operating budget that will go into effect on July 1st. Agencies are currently preparing their requests and plans for the upcoming fiscal year. Since building the City's budget is an activity that engages all services performed by the City, Mayor Scott has placed an increased emphasis on engaging the community in the budget planning process. Through information sessions and online tools, the City will ask residents to weigh in on their priorities for the upcoming budget and make their voices heard.

"We know that the best decisions are those that are informed by the lived experiences, needs, and desires of our communities," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "We are actively seeking feedback on the FY ‘24 budget so that we can put money towards building a better Baltimore for our residents. I want to encourage everyone to come out and let us know what you want to see from your local government."

There will be four (4) sessions, three virtual and one telephone, in December and January where residents can learn more about the budget and planning process. In addition, the City will be launching an online budget simulation tool where residents will work to balance the budget by making choices about key investments and possible reductions in City services.

The information sessions will take place on:

• Tuesday, December 6, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, December 14, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• *Wednesday, January 11, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, January 18, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

*Will be a telephone session hosted through Stones Phones.

In line with his Action Plan commitment to ensuring the Responsible Stewardship of City Resources, Mayor Scott will work to incorporate the ideas and priorities shared through these events into the 2024 Executive Budget.

"The City's Fiscal 2024 budget planning process is starting from a place of strength, with current projections showing revenue and expenditures growing at a similar rate. This gives us the opportunity to identify strategic and impactful ways to reinvest in City services and be responsive to input from our residents," said Laura Larsen, Budget Director, Bureau of the Budget and Management Research.

Residents interested in participating can find out more information on BBMR's webpage.