The Baltimore Employees? Retirement Systems board, which manages city workers? pension funds, has hired a Washington law firm to help establish new “guidelines” for trustee travel.
The city Board of Estimates approved $14,000 for the Employees? Retirement Systems board to assist in developing travel policies similar to those of other pension boards.
The Board of Estimates agenda said the ERS board has “resolved to establish a guidelines committee” to ensure that the board?s travel policies are consistent with the “best practices” of the industry.
The contract was awarded to the Groom Law group, a law firm that specializes in employee benefits.
The hiring comes after the travel by board members was criticized by City Council Member Kenneth Harris, D-District 4, who recently introduced a bill to freeze board travel until new guidelines for trustee travel were established. Harris said the move by the board is welcome.
“I have no problems with the board looking for outside counsel to assist them in setting up guidelines,” Harris said. “I?m glad to see they?re taking the matter seriously.”
ERS representatives did not return a call or e-mail requesting comment.
