Rival Baltimore mayoral candidate and Councilman Keiffer Mitchell pledged Monday to block a key piece of legislation backed by Mayor Sheila Dixon that would change oversight of awarding city contracts.
Criticizing Dixon for backing a proposal that would allow the City Council to raise the dollar amount for contracts requiring board of estimate approval from $5,000 to $100,000, Mitchell said the mayor was moving in the wrong direction.
“We need real reform on the board of estimates,” Mitchell said. “So I?m going to make a motion to recommit the bill to committee at the next City Council meeting,” effectively blocking it.
Mitchell, who has proposed eliminating two positions on the city?s board of estimates, said the charter amendment was flawed.
“We need to reshape the board of estimates, not increase its power,” he said.
On Thursday, the judiciary and legislative committee approved the charter amendment, which will be voted on by the full council on July 16 and, if approved, put on the ballot in November.
Dixon spokesman Anthony McCarthy said the amendment would actually give the City Council more oversight.
“If Councilman Mitchell had read the legislation, it would be clear to him that it broadens the scope and influence the City Council has for setting procurement amounts,” he said. “This legislation really clarifies the process and gives the City Council more power.
“But ultimately, the citizens of Baltimore have the final say,” McCarthy added.
City Council Vice President Robert Curran said he supports the amendments.
“The $5,000 limit was set back in 1986. Twenty-one years later, it obviously needs to be updated,” he said.
Minority contracting was one reason Curran said he supports the measure.
“I was told it was going to help empower minority business folks as well,” he said.
State Del. Jill Carter, who also is running for mayor, was critical of the amendment. “It?s obviously an effort to provide opportunities for a select few, but it takes fairness out of the process,” she said.
