Council Advances FY2027 Budget, Considers Data Center Ban and Homeless Aid
The Baltimore City Council took initial steps on a slate of major financial and land-use items in recent weeks, including the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, a $2.5 million homeless services package, and a citywide moratorium on data centers. Multiple committee hearings also reviewed opioid restitution oversight and parking permit adjustments, while upcoming agendas set the stage for museum worker pensions and missing persons policy briefings.
Budget and Organizational Votes
At its June 24 meeting, the City Council considered several foundational fiscal measures. Among them: the annual property tax ordinance for FY 2027, the operating budget for the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, and the overall Ordinance of Estimates covering appropriations for all city agencies. A charter amendment to establish a dedicated Department of Water and Wastewater was also on the docket. No minutes were yet available, and outcomes of the votes have not been published.
Zoning, Bans and Tax Credits
On June 22, the council weighed a series of legislative and land-use actions. The agenda included an increase to the homestead property tax credit for the taxable year beginning July 2026, a ban on private detention centers, and a prohibition on data centers citywide. Members were also set to approve $2.5 million in supplementary state funding for homeless rental assistance and case management. Additionally, the body considered rezoning 4308–4312 Hayward Avenue to TOD-1 and 3605 Hickory Avenue to IMU-1, along with the closure of portions of Remington Avenue and Falls Road, and the sale of former public property. Meeting minutes have not yet been released.
Opioid Fund Oversight
The Public Health & Environment Committee held hearings on June 24 and July 1 to examine oversight of Baltimore’s opioid restitution fund. Council members assessed whether money is supporting effective, evidence-based strategies for vulnerable populations. The sessions centered on item LO25-0022 and did not include other substantive policy or budget items. Minutes remain pending.
Land Use Changes
On July 2, the Land Use & Transportation Committee discussed a proposal to transfer authority to regulate Baltimore Harbor from the Department of Housing to the Department of Transportation, including the establishment of an Office of the Harbormaster. Other items on the agenda included increasing church parking permit allotments and hours in Residential Permit Parking Area 48 (Riverside), amending building height measurement calculations for gambrel roofs, and granting authority to change street name suffixes. No votes were reported.
Coming Up
- **July 8** – The Public Health & Environment Committee cancelled a hearing on psychiatric rehabilitation programs (LO25-0023) and will reschedule. The same day, the Labor & Workforce Committee will hold a public hearing on Ordinance 26-0211, which would extend Employees’ Retirement System membership to select staff at the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum, along with a mandate for an actuarial study.
- **July 9** – The Land Use & Transportation Committee will hold public hearings on rezoning 901 S Caton Ave from OR-2 to C-2, two single-family home conversions at 1118 N Carey St and 812 N Carey St, and a retail goods establishment with alcohol sales at 600 W North Ave.
- **July 14** – The Public Safety Committee will conduct an informational hearing on missing persons policies and procedures, requesting five years of case data, staffing levels, and turnover rates from the police department. Briefings are expected from the State’s Attorney, the Maryland Departments of Juvenile Services and Human Services, and the Black and Missing Foundation.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.