Council President Looks to Solve Deficit

As Baltimore tries to solve an $81 million budget deficit, City Council President Bernard “Jack” Young said slashing funds for the Department of Recreation and Parks and programs for seniors would not be part of the equation.

Young attended a meeting of the York Road Partnership Wednesday night to address the umbrella group of several neighborhoods and answer questions from residents.

During the 10 minutes he spoke, Young said that seniors are already facing enough burdens with the sagging economy, and that the city’s youth need the services provided by parks and recreation. 

“I’m big on recreation and parks. That’s what kept me out of trouble,” he said.

Young said he’s also opposed to any tax increases on property taxes, especially with city homeowners paying nearly three times in taxes what property owners pay in surrounding counties.

“I just can’t live with a property tax increase,” Young said.

Young, who was appointed president by other council members and is seeking his first elected term to the office, said the city will have to close its budget gap somehow, but didn’t offer any specifics on how that would be accomplished.

“So we’re going to have to tighten our belts a little,” he said. 

He also discussed several policy objectives: increased policing of disorderly conduct; improving strategies to address vacant properties; and increased accountability of city agencies.