Baltimore Residents: Shape City's FY27 Budget April 15 | The Locally Times
From closing a 20-year life expectancy gap to funding schools and public safety, residents can directly influence how Baltimore invests its resources at a key April 15 forum.
Baltimore's future — from bridging a stark 20-year life expectancy gap between neighborhoods to ensuring safe streets and thriving schools — is on the table. Next Wednesday, April 15, residents have a direct opportunity to shape the city's Fiscal Year 2027 budget at a critical public forum. Mayor Brandon M. Scott will host the Citywide Community Budget Forum from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center (2001 Reedbird Avenue), offering a direct channel for residents to engage with city leadership and influence decisions impacting every corner of Baltimore. ## High Stakes: Why Your Input Matters The city's annual budget determines funding levels for essential services and critical programs, directly influencing the quality of life for residents in every neighborhood. Decisions made within the FY27 budget will allocate resources for areas such as public safety initiatives, educational programs within Baltimore City Public Schools, infrastructure maintenance, and public health services. Given Baltimore's distinct landscape, characterized by both world-class institutions and areas facing significant neighborhood disinvestment, public input on budget priorities holds particular importance. Financial allocations can address disparities in public health, where life expectancy gaps exceed 20 years between neighborhoods, or support initiatives to improve food access in areas identified as food deserts. The forum offers a platform for residents to articulate their priorities and ensure that the city's financial planning aligns with community needs. ## How to Participate and What to Expect The Citywide Community Budget Forum is structured to allow residents to ask questions, learn about the proposed budget, and understand how the city plans to invest its funds. The event notice, posted by the City of Baltimore, encourages residents to register in advance to facilitate participation. The Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center, the chosen venue, serves as a community hub, emphasizing the city's intent to bring this critical discussion directly to residents. While the event description indicates an opportunity to hear what is in the budget, specific detailed proposals for the FY27 budget were not publicly released prior to the forum notice. This meeting represents an initial phase for community feedback, informing the ongoing budget development process. ## A Critical First Step in Budget Development Baltimore City's engagement effort for its FY27 budget aligns with broader trends in local governance across Maryland. Harford County, for example, also invited public input on its FY27 budget, with County Executive Bob Cassilly hosting a public hearing on February 17. This regional approach underscores the importance local governments place on citizen participation in fiscal planning. The Fiscal Year 2027 budget period typically commences on July 1, 2026, for many jurisdictions, making these early 2026 forums key for gathering foundational input that can help shape the financial framework for the coming year. The forum is a step in a multi-stage process that culminates in the final adoption of the budget, with resident input intended to guide the city's financial priorities. ## Direct Impact: Guiding City Investments Resident contributions at the forum can help guide future city initiatives and resource deployment. For instance, input on public safety funding could influence programs under the police consent decree, while discussions on infrastructure might highlight specific neighborhood needs for road repairs or public transit improvements. Allocations impacting Baltimore City Public Schools are critical for student success and can be informed by direct community feedback on educational priorities. Similarly, investments in local businesses and community development projects, potentially leveraging anchor institutions like Johns Hopkins, can be shaped by resident perspectives on economic growth and neighborhood revitalization. The forum provides a structured environment for these varied community priorities to be heard and considered as the FY27 budget takes shape, fostering a more responsive and community-driven approach to city finances. ## Key Questions **What is the purpose of this forum?** The forum allows residents to ask questions about the FY27 budget, learn about planned investments, and hear from Mayor Brandon M. Scott. **How can I participate in the forum?** Residents can attend the forum on April 15 at the Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center and are encouraged to register in advance.