The Baltimore County Council held a budget hearing on May 12, 2026, to review the proposed FY2027 budgets for the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and the Police Department. The Council heard presentations from county auditors and departmental leadership, followed by discussion on staffing, technology investments, crime statistics, and capital projects. No votes were taken; written responses to council questions were requested prior to deliberations on May 15, 2026.
So we're back. Thank you, Ms. Bel Castro. Ms. Irwin, do you want to kick off? Yes. We're here today for the Office of Information Technology and for the police department. We're starting with the Office of Information Technology, which will be presented by Zach Aymant of my office. Zach, you can take it away. Zach, the floor is yours. Sorry. Good afternoon, everyone. The proposed FY 2027 budget for the Office of Information Technology total of 15.5 million, an increase of 16.3 million or 13.8% over the FY 2026 budget. The increase primarily reflects metropolitan distance costs, allocation changes, software service increases, and personnel related adjustments. The office's operating budget history is reflected in exhibit one on page two, which shows no wrong increase of funding in each year. On page three, the pie chart shows how the proposed funding will be allocated across the programs and expenditures. Infrastructure represents the largest program allocation, while personnel costs represents the largest category of expenditure. At the bottom of page three, the appropriation summary reflects the operating budget and capital budget for FY2027. Please note the capital budget amounts reflects the FY2027 appreciations only and do not include substantial prior authorized funding that remains available. Page three also contains a personnel summary, which reflects no position changes from FY26 to 27. Operating budget highlights begin on page four. Exhibit three on page five shows the budgeting changes with personnel cost changes in blue and non-personnel cost changes in green. As discussed in the analysis, some of these changes reflect the allocation methodology changes and shifts and where costs are budgeted rather than underlying service expansion. Capital budget highlights start at the bottom of page five and continue on page six, which also includes a key considerations. Page seven, the analysis discusses potential budget flexibility and effort to provide operational context regarding areas that may warrant further discussion. Page seven also includes exhibit four, which compares authorized position to field positions. Finally, we have prepared a list of questions for the office and the office of budget and finance, which we request to be addressed in writing prior to deliberations on May 15th. I would like to thank the office and the Office of Budget and Finance for their assistance during the review process. And at this time, I'd like to turn it over for discussion. Thanks, Zach. Any questions from the members. If you have a question, if you just can I I can't see anybody if you have your hand up. Okay. So uh if not, I guess we're on a Mr. Director Martin. Hi, how are hello everybody? Good afternoon. Um afternoon, Council Chair, Council members, and county auditors. Thank you for the opportunity to present the OIT fiscal year 27. So I'm sorry, fiscal year 27 operating and tech fund. I want to begin by thanking the OIT financial team, who includes Kelly Amberman, Dana Walker, Vincent Rossi, Nancy Corona, and Lorraine Black, as well as our deputy director, Moment of Duke here, and the OBF team, uh, as long as as well as the county executive and the chief administrative officer for their support throughout this process. Um just taking a moment on how the budget is formed. The Office of Information Technology is a centralized IT organization serving the offices and departments that make up Baltimore County government, supporting everything from public safety to human resources. We also provide services to several county agencies, uh, including the library system, sheriff's office, council. OIT's budget is built around the structure, beginning with a capital portfolio that operates on an approximate three-year cycle. Requests come in to OIT through our customer relationship managers and are then prioritized by need in collaboration with departments and the administration. The drivers for IT development include replacing and modernizing existing systems, addressing new functional needs, responding to legislation, implementing security upgrades, and reducing technical debt. The capital budget funds the implementation of these new products and initiatives. Once a product is implemented, the operating budget takes over, covering license, maintenance, and other ongoing software costs, as well as supporting the 248 OIT members who keep the county IT operations running. It is important to highlight the rising costs associated with IT and how OIT is managing the rapid and sometimes inconsistent increases.