Release: Comptroller's 101 Day Status Report Baltimore, MD - After 101 days in Office, Comptroller Bill Henry has laid the groundwork for a complete overhaul of the City’s fiscal watchdog's post. His office is committing to issuing regular status reports to invite public dialogue and feedback. The reports are broken into two parts: transition report recommendations and notable steps. Henry’s transition report, released on January 19th, pointed out that there was still more work to be done to fully understand the Comptroller’s office and thus some recommendations might change. This 101-day status report shows the forward momentum of Comptroller Henry’s administration. "My staff and I have spent the last three months wrapping our arms around the office and identifying the most urgent needs," explained Councilman Henry. "We're working with an emphasis on consensus building as we push Baltimore City government into the 21st century." Board of Estimates Item | Status | Propose adoption of a formal BOE abstention policy | Completed, December 2020 | Convene a task force inclusive of the Mayor’s office, City Council, and City agencies to explore optimization of BOE processes, transparency and accessibility | Ongoing relationship build has been the focus of BOE leadership with individual agencies, with regular informal strategy meetings. | Post and publicly announce the BOE schedule on the Comptroller’s website and Legistar | Completed, March 2021 | Improve the BOE protest process by extending the window for filing objections | Completed, March 2021, and will be extended again within the year. | Require registration and disclosure documents from all lobbyists speaking before the BOE on behalf of clients | Subject to revision. Working with the Department of Ethics to implement an effective and useful policy. | Publicly post information regarding meetings between the Comptroller and lobbyists, including the precise purpose for the meeting | In progress, scheduled to be completed March 2021 | Draft and recommend by-laws for the BOE | In progress, scheduled to be completed March 2021 | Propose a resolution that requires a unanimous vote of the BOE members to waive any Regulations on Procurement, Protests, and MBE/WBEs | Subject to revision. As the BOE staff review legacy policies and procedures they are planning a thorough revision of all MBE/WBE policies. |
Office Wide Item | Status | Meet with Mayor Scott and Council President Mosby to present transition team recommendations | Completed January 2021. | Obtain technology necessary to move all office staff to teleworking capabilities | Completed, February 2021 | Mandate ethics training for all executive staff | Completed, February 2021 | Mandate anti-racism training for all staff | Completed, Implementation scheduled for late spring 2021 | Post all required staff financial disclosures on the Comptroller’s website | In progress, working with the Department of Ethics to make disclosures more accessible | Provide a continuously updated archive of the Comptroller’s position statements, press releases and media appearances | In progress, scheduled to be completed March 2021 | Assign the duties of Equity Officer to the Chief of Staff | Assigned to the Deputy Comptroller | Hire an IT Manager for the entire Comptroller’s office | Completed, December 2020 | Hire a Director of Constituent Affairs to foster relations with community groups and field constituent requests | Completed, December 2020 | Maintain an office e-newsletter highlighting staff achievements, colleague profiles, new and updates and important Human Resources information | Completed & ongoing, January 2021 | Fully utilize Bonfire to digitize electronic bid submissions | Subject to revision. The Comptroller’s Office is working closely with the Chief Administrator’s Office and other City agencies to review procurement from start to finish. | Meet with agencies and define real estate service needs | Completed & ongoing, March 2021 | Support MWBOO in achieving greater compliance with MBE/WBE goals | Ongoing through weekly meeting with MWBOO staff, discussions with agency directors at the BOE, and collaboration on contract review. | Collaborate with the Office of Equity & Civil Rights and MWBOO to produce quarterly reports on MBE/WBE compliance and other recommendations that promote use of a racial equity lens in evaluating business that comes before the BOE | Ongoing, report should be released late Spring. | Post all MPIA requests and responses on the Comptroller’s website | In progress, scheduled to be completed March 2021 | Provide the Comptroller’s public schedule to the press and public every week | Completed & ongoing, February 2021 |
Notable steps - January 2021 – The Department of Communication Services was divided into two respective departments: The Municipal Telephone Exchange and the Municipal Post Office. This will help each department innovate in their field.
- January 2021 - In recognition of the availability of verbatim, archived, publicly-accessible video and audio recordings of Board of Estimates meetings, the Comptroller's Office discontinued the practice of typing word-for-word transcripts of Board of Estimates meetings as of January 1, 2021. Minutes are now maintained in a summary format that complies with the requirements of the Maryland Open Meetings Act, and are posted online within ten days of each Board meeting rather than several weeks or even months. This expedites public access to meeting minutes and saves significant staff time and resources which are now dedicated to substantive review of agenda items.
- February 2021 – Comptroller Henry hired Andy Frank, former Deputy Mayor & experienced real estate professional as the Deputy Director of the Department of Real Estate.
- February 2021 – The Department of Real Estate has implemented a policy to digitally sign tax sale certificates. This will speed up the sale process.
- March 2021 - The Comptroller disseminated a comprehensive Confidentiality Policy for all employees on March 8, 2021. This implemented a best practice for handling confidential material.
- March 2021 - Effective March 9, 2021, agencies are no longer required to provide multiple paper copies of items to the Comptroller's Office when submitting agreements, contracts, or anything else for the weekly Board of Estimates agenda. Agencies submit items electronically, as attachments to emails. This streamlines the submission process for agencies and the preparation process for Board of Estimates staff and will save the City thousands of dollars annually in printing costs.
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