BALTIMORE CITY, MARYLAND

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

ADMINISTRATION

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

ADMINISTRATION

City Hall, 100 North Holliday St., Baltimore, Maryland, June 2006. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Answering to the Chief Administrative Officer originally were the Department of Human Resources and fifteen offices: Cable and Communications (CHARMTV); Children and Family Success; Correspondence and Constituent Services; Employment Development; Equity and Civil Rights; Government Relations; Homeless Services; Immigrant Affairs; Information Technology; Inspector General; Neighborhood Safety and Engagement; Performance and Innovation; Promotion and the Arts; Small, Minority and Women-Owned Business Development; and Sustainable Solutions.

Since an April 2021 reorganization, the Chief Administrative Officer oversees five departments Finance, General Services, Human Resources, Public Works, and Transportation; and five offices: the Mayor’s Office of American Recovery Program, the Office of Equity and Civil Rights, the Office of Information Technology; the Office of the Labor Commissioner, and the Mayor’s Office of Performance and Innovation. At the same time, the Chief Administrative Officer began to oversee Broadband and Digital Equity, the Chief Data Officer, the Board of Elections, Employees’ Retirement Systems, and the Environmental Control Board.

MAYOR'S ANTI-ANIMAL ABUSE ADVISORY COMMISSION
Created in July 2009 in response to the burning death of a dog named Phoenix, the Mayor's Anti-Animal Abuse Task Force was charged with making recommendations on ending animal cruelty and dogfighting in Baltimore. In its final report of July 30, 2010, Task Force recommended creation of a commission to carry on its work.

In September 2010, the Mayor's Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Commission was established.

MAYOR'S BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMISSION
In March 2015, the Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Commission was authorized by the Mayor (Mayor's Executive Order, March 25, 2015).

The Commission advises the Mayor’s Office and City departments on issues related to promoting bicycling as a safe and convenient form of transportation and recreation. It also supports and advocates for other forms of multi-modal transportation in Baltimore.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD
The Environmental Control Board was created in 1998 to identify and control harmful environmental factors in the City.

Promoting environmental awareness and enforcement, the Board provides community outreach services, and establishes procedures for issuing and enforcing environmental citations. During hearings and any appeal made regarding violations, the Board provides advice to involved parties (City Code, Article 1, sec. 40).

The Board consists of thirteen members. Seven are appointed by the Mayor with City Council consent. Six serve ex officio.

BOARD OF ETHICS
In Baltimore City, the Board of Ethics was established in 1963 (City Charter, Art. VII, sec. 106). Financial disclosure requirements were enacted in 1974. The State Public Ethics Law, enacted in 1979, further required local jurisdictions statewide to enact ethics legislation.

The Board of Ethics hears allegations of violation of the City’s ethics code. The Board investigates and rules on allegations made against elected City officials and employees for conflicts of interest, problems with financial disclosure, or lobbying misconduct. If evidence of certain violations are found while conducting its investigation, the Board must refer those cases to the appropriate prosecting authority.

Reporting annually to the Mayor and City Council, the Board recommends legislation, and develops and provides a training course for those subject to the Code. Annually, the Commission also submits a report to the State Ethics Commission, showing City compliance with State law governing the public ethics of local officials with respect to conflicts of interest, financial disclosure, and lobbying (Code General Provisions Article, secs. 5-804 through 5-812).

Five members constitute the Board of Ethics. Three are appointed to five-year terms by the Mayor, and two serve ex officio. Each year the Board selects a chair from among its members. The Director of Legislative Reference serves as the Executive Director of the Board (City Charter, Art. VII, secs. 105-110; City Code, Art. 8, secs. 1-1 through 9-22).

HISPANIC COMMISSION
In Baltimore City, the Hispanic Commission was authorized by the City Council in 2007.

The Commission serves as a liaison between the City's Hispanic community and Baltimore City government.

LOCAL [VIDEO LOTTERY] DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
A local development council is established in each geographic area where a video lottery [slots gambling] facility is located (Chapter 5, Acts of 2007; Chapter 4, Acts of 2007 Special Session; Code State Government Article, sec. 9-1A-31). In Baltimore City, a video lottery facility, called Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, opened on August 26, 2014.

The Local Development Council advises Baltimore City on the impact of the video lottery facility on the communities in immediate proximity to the facility, and on the needs and priorities of those communities. The Council also makes recommendations to the City regarding the multi-year plans for expenditure of revenue from the facility.

Appointed by the Mayor in consultation with the City Council, and the senators and delegates who represent communities surrounding the video lottery facility, the Council consists of fifteen members (Code State Government Article, sec. 9-1A-31).

SAFE ART SPACE TASK FORCE
In December 2016, the Mayor formed the Safe Art Space Task Force to consider how to create safe, affordable places for young artists to live and practice.

OFFICE OF CABLE & COMMUNICATIONS (CHARMTV)
The Office of Cable and Communications operates Charm TV (Channel 25), Baltimore's commercial-free 24-hour cable television station through a franchise agreement with Comcast.

OFFICE OF CHILDREN & FAMILY SUCCESS
In 2019, the Office of Children and Family Success was created.

The Office supports and strengthens families by improving educational attainment and socioeconomic mobility, and positions all Baltimore communities to thrive. It works to improve early childhood development, decrease youth food insecurity, reduce youth homelessness, and increase youth literacy. The Office also seeks to increase the availability of trauma-informed care for youth, increase youth diversion practices, and break down historical barriers to success for African-American boys and young men.

OFFICE OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALE ENGAGEMENT
The Office of African-American Male Engagement was established by the Mayor in February 2018.

The goal of the Office is to support and expand mentoring and other services to help African-American boys and men avoid falling prey to crime and violence.

HEAD START
A federally funded program for low-income families, Head Start provides a learning environment for children from age three to five, focusing on cognitive, social and emotional development.

OFFICE OF CORRESPONDENCE & CONSTITUENT SERVICES
The Office of Correspondence and Constituent Services helps constituents access services provided by government agencies or nonprofit service organizations.

Constituent Services representatives help residents with questions and concerns regarding City services. The Correspondence Team tracks citizen correspondence to the Mayor and prepares ceremonial documents, such as certificates of recognition, proclamations, and greeting letters.

OFFICE OF EQUITY & CIVIL RIGHTS
The Office of Equity and Civil Rights originated as the Office of Civil Rights and Wage Enforcement. It reformed under its present name in January 2020.

The Office oversees the Civilian Review Board, the Community Relations Commission, and the Mayor's Commission on Disabilities. The Office reports directly to the Chief of Staff.

CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD
Established in October 1999, the Civilian Review Board assumed duties of the Complaint Evaluation Board under the Police Department. While originally limited to the Police Department, Board jurisdiction expanded in 2000 to cover the City School Police, Housing Authority Police, and the Sheriff's Department. In October 2015, jurisdiction again expanded to include the Baltimore City Watershed Police Force, and the police forces of Baltimore City Community College and Morgan State University (Chapter 130, Acts of 2015).

The Civilian Review Board reviews Police Department policies, and hears allegations of officer misconduct, such as harassment, excessive force, injury, or abusive language. Thereafter, allegations are investigated by the Internal Affairs Division of the Professional Standards and Accountability Bureau. The Board also may conduct its own investigation simultaneously with the Division. Upon review of the Division's report, the Board may dismiss the complaint for lack of evidence, exonerate the accused, recommend disciplinary action, or request further investigation. Within 30 days of receiving the Division report, the Board is required to submit a full report of its own case findings and recommendations to the appropriate unit head. The Board also submits a biannual report of its actions to the Mayor, the City Council, and the Police Commissioner (Code of Public Local Laws, sec. 16-42).

Fourteen members comprise the Board and serve three-year terms. With City Council consent, the Mayor appoints one citizen from each of the nine patrol districts to serve on the Board. The American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Baltimore City Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Vanguard Justice Society each appoint one member. The Baltimore City Police Commissioner serves ex officio (Chapters 196, 197, Acts of 1999; Chapter 290, Acts of 2000; Chapter 499, Acts of 2006; Chapter 130, Acts of 2015).

MAYOR'S COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES
In 1976, the Mayor's Commission on Disabilities was formed.

The Commission works to remove barriers and promote equal rights and opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Twenty-three members comprise the Commission. They are appointed by the Mayor with City Council consent to four-year terms, or terms coterminus with the Mayor (City Code, 1976/83, Article 1, sec. 243; Ordinance no. 93-237).

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES

The construction, demolition, alteration, operation, and maintenance of all municipal buildings and related improvements is the responsibility of the Department. All plans and specifications for these City buildings and related improvements, including those involving engineering questions, must be submitted to the Director of General Services for approval.

A system for the uniform identification of all real property within the City is supported by the Department. Plats and other records of all parcels of real property within the City also are maintained by the Department. These plats and records note the ownership of each parcel, and the symbol by which each parcel is identified. Added to these are plats and records of tunnels, pipes, mains, sewers, conduits, and other underground structures, both public and private that are maintained by the Department.

Department of General Services, Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 North Holliday St., Baltimore, Maryland, November 2016. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Reporting to the Department are four divisions: Administration, Design and Construction/Major Projects, Facilities Maintenance, and Fleet Management.

ADMINISTRATION DIVISION
The Administration Division was formed in 2009 when the Department of General Services was made an agency separate from the Department of Public Works.

FACILITIES MAINTENANCE DIVISION
In July 2009, the Facilities Maintenance Division was placed under the Department of General Services.

FLEET MANAGEMENT DIVISION
The Fleet Management Division transferred from the Bureau of General Services under the Department of Public Works to the Department of General Services In July 2009.

The Division maintains, repairs, and operates all motor vehicles and related equipment owned by the City (whether held for general service or assigned for the use of a particular office or agency), including Police and Fire Department vehicles and apparatus. Related garages, depots, and shops also are maintainned and operated by the Division. Moreover, the Division inspects all City vehicles and related equipment and keeps records of how these vehicles and equipment are handled and operated. In addition, the Division is responsible for the assignment of these vehicles and related equipment for the use of officers and other City agencies, and the maintenance or the hiring of any hauling or passenger service needed by any municipal agency (City Charter, Art. VII, secs. 132 (g)).

MAJOR PROJECTS DIVISION & DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
The Major Projects Division and Design and Construction started as the Building Engineering Division and the Construction Division under the Department of Public Works. Both merged to form the Design and Construction Division within the Department of General Services in July 2009.

Construction and engineering services are provided and coordinated by the Division.

The Mayor and the Civil Service Commission hear and rule on issues related to human resources, and may amend or overturn current policies and procedures. Implementation of decisions is made by the Department (City Charter, Article VII, secs. 96-98).

FIRE & POLICE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
In July 1962, when the Fire and Police Employees Retirement System was established, its Board of Trustees was formed.

OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS
In 2014, the Office of Immigrant Affairs was established as the Office of Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs in accordance with recommendations of the New Americans Task Force. The Office assumed its present name in 2019.

Community wellbeing, economic development, and the integration of immigrant communities into Baltimore are promoted by the Office. By identifying needs and opportunities that immigrants bring to the City, the Office develops public-private partnerships to strengthen the development of these communities.

The Office seeks to facilitate the development and progress of immigrants and refugees in the workforce and increase their access to entrepreneurial opportunities, thereby meeting the needs of employers and promoting the growth and betterment of the City. In addition, the Office works to increase and promote Baltimore’s unique housing opportunities, while promoting safer and stronger neighborhoods.

By enhancing the service capacity and receptivity of City agencies, and nonprofit and community-based organizations, the Office works to better address the needs of immigrants, and facilitate inclusion and mutual understanding among immigrant communities, service providers, and receiving communities.

OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Digital networking and infrastructure for City government is managed by the Office of Information Technology, which also provides agencies with e-mail service and web access. The Office develops and procures hardware and software for the City, and gives instruction and technical assistance to agencies. For residents, networks managed by the Office allow e-payment of bills to the City by computer or phone.

Advising the Mayor and the Board of Estimates on technology programs and needs of the City, the Office operates the City’s Enterprise Geographic Information Services (EGIS), and the 311 One Call and Dispatch Center. With one phone call, 311 services allow residents to reach a City agency while EGIS coordinates information sharing among City agencies, making available data more efficient and accurate. These services enable residents to easily notify the City of concerns, and allow for quick resolution of problems.

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Formerly under Public Safety, Operations, and Citistat, the Office of Inspector General was transferred to the Chief of Staff in September 2012, and to Administration in 2014.

Violations of civil and criminal law, City regulations, or employee standards of conduct by City agencies are investigated by the Office of Inspector General. The Office audits and investigates to detect program weaknesses, contract irregularities, or other institutional problems. Annually, the Office audits procurement by the City, and submits its annual report.

OFFICE OF NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY & ENGAGEMENT
In December 2020 , the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement was formed by the Mayor to replace and expand the scope of the Office on Criminal Justice.

The Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement coordinates City agencies and community partners in the fight against violence in Baltimore. In its work with law enforcement agencies, including the Police Department and the State’s Attorney’s Office, City agencies from the Health Department to the Department of Recreation and Parks, and community-based organizations, the Office coordinates public safety efforts across the City. The Office also works to ensure accountability through Baltimore’s holistic violence reduction strategy.

The Office will establish and monitor cross-agency goals, reimagining preventative, interventive, and rehabilitative policies and practices, and implementing the Mayor’s group violence reduction strategy.

CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY [PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION]
The Citizens Advisory Commission for Public Safety was formed by the City Council in 2017 (City Code, Art. 1, sec. 56-1).

In April 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, and the Baltimore City Police Department entered into a Consent Decree. The purpose of the Consent Decree is to ensure that the City and its Police Department protect the statutory and constitutional rights of individuals, treat individuals with respect and dignity, and be responsive to community priorities for public safety.

The Commission was established to guide relations between City communities and the police, and City Police Department practices. Citizen members work with law enforcement, elected officials, and community service representatives to develop reform policies that extend beyond the Federal Consent Decree.

Commission members are appointed by the Mayor to four-year terms.

MAYOR'S OFFICE OF PERFORMANCE & INNOVATION
In May 2019, the Mayor's Office of Performance and Innovation formed from the merger of the Office of Innovation and CitiStat.

Using data, design, and innovation, the Mayor's Office of Performance and Innovation works to ensure equitable, user-friendly and efficient government operations that improve the lives of Baltimore City residents.

The Office oversees CitiStat, Innovation, and the Data Fellows Program.

OFFICE OF PROMOTION & THE ARTS
Established in 1977, the Office of Promotion and the Arts formed as the Baltimore Office of Promotion and Tourism. The Office merged with the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association in 1989, and was renamed the Office of Promotion. The Office assumed its current name in 2002, when it merged with the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Arts and Culture. In 2004, the Office incorporated as a nonprofit corporation.

Coordinating dozens of art, cultural and sport events for the City, the Office of Promotion and the Arts manages events, such as Artscape; the Baltimore Book Festival; the Baltimore Grand Prix; the Baltimore Farmers’ Market; the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Parade; the Showcase of Nations Ethnic Festivals; and the annual lighting of the Washington Monument. The Office also arranges the Mayor’s town hall meetings, and supervises the Municipal Music License Administration.

The Board of Directors of the Office is composed of ten members.

MAYOR'S OFFICE OF RECOVERY PROGRAMS
The Mayor formed the Mayor's Office of Recovery Programs in July 2021.

The historic $640 million in investment to Baltimore City through the federal American Rescue Plan Act is managed by the Mayor's Office of Recovery Programs. All aspects of the Act's funding and regularly reporting to the federal government, as well as to the public, are administered by the Office. In Baltimore, priorities for these federal funds focus on putting Baltimoreans back to work, investing in neighborhoods that have historically been left behind, funding community-based violence reduction initiatives, and closing the digital divide.

OFFICE OF SMALL, MINORITY & WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
The Office of Small, Minority and Women-Owned Business Development originated as the Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development, and adopted its present name in 2017.

Working to improve the success rate of Baltimore’s minority and women-owned private businesses, the Office of Small, Minority and Women-Owned Business Development contracts services to companies owned by minorities or women, reducing the City’s procurement needs, and increasing contracts available to qualified contractors. To meet these ends, the Office manages the Minority and Women-Owned Business Development Fund, which, in coordination with City procurement resources, helps the City finance necessary contracts (City Code, Article 5, sec. 28).

The Office oversees the Local Contractor Development Program, the Annual Procurement and Outreach Fair, the Women’s Business Forum, and the Vendor Seminar Series. The Office works in cooperation with government and private agencies and organizations, such as the Small Business Resource Center, the City Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Greater Baltimore Committee.

MAYOR'S OFFICE OF SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
The Mayor's Office of Sustainable Solutions was founded by the Mayor in 1999 as the Office of Citistat. Formerly, it came under Public Safety, Operations, and Citistat, but transferred to the Chief of Staff in September 2012. It reformed under its present name in 2017.

Sustainable Solutions is a data-driven, performance-based management system to improve the performance and effectiveness of City services and offices. Conducting audits of current data and information, the Office reviews agency performance, polices, and procedures. The Office and agency representatives meet with the Mayor bi-monthly to address the Office's questions, concerns, and recommendations.

EQUITY, HEALTH, & HUMAN SERVICES

Under the Deputy Mayor for Equity, Health, and Human Services are the Community Action Partnership, Homeless Services, and the Re-Entry Program, as well as the Youth Commission.

PUBLIC SAFETY

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Government Relations began as Government and Community Affairs and reformed as Government Relations and Labor in 2014. It was renamed Government Relations in December 2016, and placed under the Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Safety in 2019, who was renamed Deputy Mayor for Public Safety in 2020.

The Deputy Chief for Government Relations advises the Mayor on matters of government responsiveness to City residents.

Under Government Relations are four offices: Communications, Government Relations, Labor Commissioner, and Neighborhoods.

OFFICE OF LABOR COMMISSIONER
Created by the City Charter of 1968, the Office of Labor Commissioner was under Public Safety, Operations, and Citistat before being restructured under the Chief of Staff in September 2012. In 2014, it was placed under Government Relations and Labor.

The Office oversees City labor organizations and acts as arbitrator in labor disputes within City government. For the City, the Office conducts collective bargaining, and negotiates union employment matters, including benefits, wages, and working conditions. For those not covered by collective bargaining, these matters are managed by the Department of Human Resources.

The Office provides management training for supervisors. In addition, the Office reviews and makes recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on labor policies and procedures (City Code, Article 12, secs. 1-10).

OFFICE OF NEIGHBORHOODS
In 2001, the Office of Neighborhoods was established by the Mayor upon recommendation of the Neighborhood Planning Program Steering Committee, and the Neighborhood Revitalization Transition Team. In 2012, the Office merged with Correspondence and Constituent Services to form the Office of Neighborhoods and Constituent Services. In 2014, the Office returned to its original name.

The Office coordinates and manages interagency and City initiatives related to neighborhood and community planning. To help in these initiatives, the Mayor appoints neighborhood liaisons who communicate with community associations and organizations. These liaisons oversee all Office programs in their assigned areas.

COMPTROLLER

With the approval of the Board of Estimates, the Comptroller purchases insurance for the City, and represents the City claims against insurance companies on policies held by the City. Funds awarded in settlement are received by the Mayor and City Council for disbursement.

The Comptroller is elected by the voters to a four-year term, and serves ex officio on the Board of Estimates, and the Board of Finance (City Charter, Art. V, secs. 1-11; City Code, Art. 5, sec. 1).

Under the Comptroller are three Departments: Audits, Communication Services, and Real Estate.

DEPARTMENT OF AUDITS
Through independent audit consultative services, the Department of Audits provides financial statements, reports, and recommendations to improve the accountability of government to the citizens of Baltimore.

The Department conducts audits of the financial transactions of every municipal agency, except the Department of Audits; an annual audit of all accounts, revenues, and receipts of the City; and biennial audits of principal agencies. It also may audit the expenditure of City-granted funds by any public or private agency that receives such funds; and City contracts, grants, subgrants, and other agreements as required by the terms and conditions of these instruments and, when the contracts, grants, subgrants and other agreements require that audits be conducted by other auditors, review such audits. The Department makes such other audits as the Comptroller or the Board of Estimates may request, provided that those requested audits do not, in the judgment of the City Auditor, unduly hinder the performance of regular audits.

Appointed by the Comptroller, the City Auditor heads the Department (City Charter, Art. V, secs. 7-11).

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION SERVICES
Under the Comptroller, the Department of Communication Services provides communications technologies and services for Baltimore government.

The Department is responsible for the Municipal Telephone Exchange and the Municipal Post Office. The Municipal Telephone Exchange maintains the telecommunications system through which voice, data and wireless services are provided for City government agencies. The Municipal Post Office distributes U.S. Postal mail and interdepartmental mail to City government agencies.

DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE
The Department of Real Estate acquires real property for the use of the City. Moreover, for any property no longer needed by the City for public use, the Department arranges for its deposition. The Department also manages the use of City-owned docks, wharves, piers, and other facilities which constitute the City-owned portion of the waterfront.

In overseeing the Department of Real Estate, the Comptroller records all agreements, contracts, deeds, and leases related to City properties, and maintains an inventory of these records. With the Director of Finance, the Comptroller updates and verifies the accuracy of this inventory quarterly.

The Department is headed by the City Real Estate Officer, who is appointed by the Comptroller (City Charter, Art. V, secs. 4-6).

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

To assist the Board of Estimates in formulating the City’s budget and ordinances, the Department annually prepares a preliminary operating budget, which it submits to the Board. The Department implements and enforces actions of the Board of Estimates, and provides the Board with its reports and recommendations (City Charter, Article VII, secs. 5-19).

The Department is assisted by the Board of Finance.

BOARD OF FINANCE
City debts and collaterals are managed by the Board of Finance. All City loans must be approved by the Board, which issues promissory notes, and selects depositories to be used by the Department of Finance for City payments and funds.

Five members constitute the Board. Three are appointed to four-year terms by the Mayor with City Council consent. The Mayor and Comptroller serve ex officio. The Mayor serves as president of the Board (City Charter, Article VII, secs. 19-21).

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