BALTIMORE, MD – City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young today outlined an ambitious plan to fund $17.1 million in new spending on essential services by modifying the city’s $2.8 billion preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2013.

Council President Young’s Plan for a Better Baltimore would strengthen communities by increasing funding for essential services:

• Restore funding to keep city recreation centers open
• Double funding for youth summer jobs
• Double funding for afterschool programs
• Restore funding for Experience Corps program
• Restore funding to prevent closure of  fire companies
• Phase in increased costs of employee contributions to healthcare plan

“Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s proposed Fiscal Year 2013 budget provided a step forward by helping to close a projected $48 million budget deficit, while continuing to fund important city services,” Council President Young said. “My Plan for a Better Baltimore builds on the mayor’s goal to grow Baltimore by 10,000 families over the next decade by investing in services that save lives and will help to attract and retain residents. Paying for these services through thoughtful reductions in city spending will help to improve the quality of life for countless citizens.” 

Council President Young has identified the following spending reductions and increased revenue to help pay for his plan:

• Select reductions to various agency budgets
• Eliminate 57 funded vacant positions
• Transfer surplus funds from the employee Health Insurance Reserve Fund
• Adjust revenue projections from speed cameras

Click here for full details on Council President Young’s Plan for a Better Baltimore proposal.