I get the Dixon Report every week, filled with all kinds of news from the mayor's office. This week's edition arrived just minutes ago and -- can you believe it? -- no mention of the raid.

THE DIXON REPORT

June 20, 2008

Dear Citizens, 

I believe that our government should be focused, responsive and efficient.  The Fiscal 2009 budget passed this week by the City Council represents a measured and responsible plan in light of Baltimore’s current economic trends.  It maintains basic services and continues our momentum by directing resources toward my priorities for making Baltimore a cleaner, greener, healthier, and safer city.  I appreciate the hard work of City Council President Stephanie Rawlings Blake and members of the City Council for collaborating with me to pass a budget that moves the city forward in these difficult financial times.

Protecting our citizens from harm is my number one priority and responsibility as Mayor.  Reducing violence in Baltimore requires a citywide effort including local, state, and federal agencies, social service providers, community agencies, faith-based groups, the business community, neighborhood associations, community leaders, residents and youth.  My Administration is employing a multi-faceted approach to combat violence through outreach, community partnership, and service delivery.   

So far we are seeing real results from these efforts.  Year to date in 2008, Citywide homicides have been reduced by 34% and non-fatal shootings have been reduced by 30% compared to the same period in 2007.  For the first quarter of 2008, Baltimore City had the lowest number of homicides in 25 years.  Additionally, during Calendar 2007, the Police Department seized 3,462 guns, an 11% increase over 2006, and as of April 1, 2008, they seized 775 guns, another 10% increase over the same period in 2007. 

In support of our public safety efforts, the Fiscal 2009 General Fund budget has a $13.4 million increase for the Police Department and an $8.8 million increase for the Fire Department. This includes investments in salary increases as well as vehicles and equipment to ensure that our first responders operate safely and effectively throughout the city.  The 2009 Budget also includes funding to support a new joint Police and Fire training facility at the former Pimlico Middle School, additional funding to support the City’s 800 MHz communications system, and increased funding for police recruiting efforts. 

My Administration has also provided a historically high level of City funding for services such after school programs, home visiting, mentoring, community schools, school-based mental health, anti-violence youth intervention, and summer jobs work experience.  Some of these investments have already paid off.  By using the funding strategically to demonstrate successful service delivery models, the City has already leveraged up to $500,000 in funding from Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems to maintain the progress we began with school-based mental health services, and the Health Department is working with the Greater Baltimore Committee to raise $1 million in private funds to leverage the City funding for the Operation Safe Streets program.  

The Fiscal 2009 budget also includes a record high $2.4 million to support the YouthWorks Summer Jobs Program administered by the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development; this is enough to cover more than 2,100 summer job slots for Baltimore’s youth.  Because of additional funding of nearly $5 million by private donors, city agencies and the state of Maryland, we will employ over 6,800 young people this summer.  I am grateful for our partners in this important effort.  Their contributions will help prepare many young men and women in Baltimore for a productive adult life. 

In January 2008, my Administration released our 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness.  The culmination of hundreds of participants, including leaders from the nonprofit, business and philanthropic communities, housing developers, service providers, advocates, and formerly homeless individuals, the plan has raised visibility and support for new homeless strategies designed to end homelessness by 2018.  The Fiscal Year 2009 budget includes capital funds and operating support for a 24-hour year-round emergency shelter, a key component of the 10-Year Plan.  The permanent shelter should open in November of 2009. 

In 2007, I challenged the Department of Transportation to find new ways of coordinating its resources to make road construction more efficient.  The result – known as Operation Orange Cone – has led to a record amount of road resurfacing throughout the city.  In 2007, the City paved an impressive 139 lane miles.  This year, the city has set a goal to complete 200 lane miles of repaving, representing the most significant capital improvement season in years and the most substantial increase of milling and paving projects ever.  The Fiscal 2009 capital budget includes $30 million in County Transportation Revenue Bond funds, a cost-effective means of financing road improvements in light of declining Highway User Revenues coming to the City from the State. 

The budget passed this week presents more than just dollars and cents; it is a call to action to all city agencies to find innovative ways to deliver services more efficiently.  We must be realistic and cautious about our resources, and this budget takes great care to prepare the City for the potential of difficult financial times ahead.  I am confident that despite the challenges we face, this budget will enable us to fulfill my responsibility to the citizens of Baltimore.  

For more information the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget, visit the Baltimore City Department of Finance.  

Sincerely,

Sheila Dixon

Mayor, Baltimore