Mayor Sheila Dixon said Wednesday that Baltimore residents might see a "change in services" and city workers will face furloughs and layoffs to close a $60 million spending gap opened by the most recent state aid cuts and slumping tax revenues.
"We are looking at a number of areas," Dixon said. "There will be layoffs."
The city laid off more than 150 workers in June when it adopted its $2.3 billion budget.
FOR THE RECORD
An article in Thursday's editions incorrectly stated how many workers at the state Department of Transportation will be laid off; it is 26. The Baltimore Sun regrets the error.
City Council members said yesterday that they would take voluntary furlough days to show solidarity with city workers.
"Right now, we are in this economic crisis," said Councilman Bernard "Jack" Young. "We can't expect people to take furloughs and we are not included."
One money-saving option under consideration is curtailing or reducing the city's bulk trash pickup program, according to a City Hall official not authorized to speak about budget matters. The current bulk pickup service, which allows residents to call to have three bulk items hauled away each month, costs about $1 million.
State officials in Annapolis are cutting by $35 million the money that Baltimore had been expecting, part of $211 million in reduced aid to local governments.
City finance officials have also revised Baltimore's revenue projections downward by about $25 million.
Dixon said she is still "digesting" news of state budget reductions approved Wednesday by Maryland's Board of Public Works, and will not announce the extent of layoffs or other budget measures until she meets with City Council members and union officials. Some of those meetings are set for today and Friday.
The Board of Public Works approved Gov. Martin O'Malley's proposal to cut Maryland's $13 billion budget by $454 million to ensure that it remains in balance as tax collections slide. The proposal includes furloughs and layoffs for state workers as well as reductions in aid for Baltimore and the 23 counties.
Dozens of state employees will be laid off with the closure of a psychiatric unit at the Upper Shore Community Mental Health Center in Chestertown. Maryland Health Secretary John M. Colmers said the move fits in with the state's larger goal of shifting care to private institutions. More layoffs would come from shutting down two wards at Spring Grove Hospital in Catonsville.
"This is not an easy time," Colmers said. "I can't sugarcoat it."
Layoffs of state employees are spread among other agencies, including 44 workers at the Department of Transportation.
