FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 7, 2015

CONTACT
Kirsten Silveira
Kirsten.Silveira@baltimorecity.gov
305-410-3965

City Budget Office to Host Inaugural Budget Pop-Up

Baltimore, Md. (April 7, 2015)—The Bureau of Budget and Management Research (BBMR) is hitting the refresh button on the City’s annual Taxpayer Night Hearing. The Fiscal 2016 Budget Pop-Up will provide citizens with a fun, engaging opportunity to learn about investments and the desired outcomes of services highlighted in Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s proposed budget. The goal is to increase awareness of the budget in advance of the Taxpayer Night Hearing, in order to equip attendees with information that will help them derive the most value from Taxpayer Night.

Prior to the Budget Pop-Up, Budget Results Teams, made up of City employees and community members, collaborated to review budget proposals submitted by City agencies and to recommend funding for services that deliver efficient results for Baltimore, organized according to Mayor Rawlings-Blake’s priority outcomes: Better Schools, Safer Streets, Stronger Neighborhoods, Growing Economy, Innovative Government, Cleaner City, and Healthier City. Agencies submit budget proposals based on their current levels of service and can request additional funding for enhancements to programming or services.

At the Budget Pop-Up event, participants will visit a number of stations, each highlighting a different priority outcome. Budget analysts and the Outcome Budgeting Results Team chair will host these stations, answering questions and engaging residents in conversation about the budget process and the investments proposed for Fiscal 2016.

Residents will be able to visit booths focused on the City’s Ten-Year Financial Plan, Innovation Fund, capital improvements, and revenue sources. Small prizes will be awarded to those who fill out their “passport” by visiting each booth during the event. Additionally, large posters around the room will highlight ways the City proposes to invest in a better Baltimore for Fiscal 2016.

At the event, the Tunbridge Public Charter School Parent-Teacher Association will hold a bake sale, with proceeds benefiting the school’s performing arts program.

The Fiscal 2016 Budget Pop-Up will take place on April 14th from 6:00 to 7:00 PM in the War Memorial Building, 101 N Gay Street, immediately preceding the annual Taxpayer Night Hearing, which will begin at 7:00 PM.

Very limited parking is available in the lot directly in front of City Hall; paid parking is available on-street and in the Lexington and Fayette Street garages. The venue is located on MTA bus routes 5, 20, 23, 40, and 91, and is near the Shot Tower/Market Place Metro station.

The event flyer is attached. For more information, visit bbmr.baltimorecity.gov or contact Kirsten Silveira at Kirsten.Silveira@baltimorecity.gov or 410-396-4965.