Baltimore, MD - This morning, Baltimore City's Board of Estimates approved a formal policy for Board members to abstain from ethical conflicts. The policy, proposed by Comptroller Bill Henry, outlines a process for members to inform the Comptroller's office prior to the BOE meeting of any items they have to abstain from on the agenda. Members of the public will be able to review all abstentions and pertinent explanations on the Comptroller's website.

"This policy takes the current practice of abstaining one step further by requiring reasons for abstention and making the list readily available," Comptroller Henry explained. "This is the first of many policies to come to make the board more transparent and accessible."

The Baltimore City Public Ethics Law, in Article 8, Subtitle 6 of the City Code, outlines the City’s Conflict of Interest policies. Members should refer to staff of the Baltimore City Board of Ethics, within the Office of the Inspector General, for guidance on abstentions or considerations.

The Board of Estimates also approved the biennial audit of the Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED). The audit found that in FY19 & FY18 MOED consistently meets the target of 400 ex-offenders stipulated by the agreement between MOED and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS), but it did not meet the Bureau of Budget and Management Research (BBMR) established target.

MOED concurred with the findings and agreed to work with BBMR on more realistic targets.

Press Resources:

Board Memo Resolution on Abstentions.pdf

MOED Performance Audit FY18-FY19