Dixon Wants To Spend Easily

June 20th, 2007 by Kenneth Burns

Probably because she is tired of people assuming that funny business is going on, Baltimore Mayor Shiela Dixon is seeking changes to the city charter to allow the city to purchase goods and services for the city easier, while at the same time lessening the public oversight.

Officials tell The Baltimore Sun says that the current process,  which purchases $5,000 and more would have to be approved by a five-member board, is out of date and cumbersome.  The charter amendments being proposed by Dixon would require public notice for purchases over $25,000, allow the city to adjust spending controls more freely and and make it easier for the administration to win approval for over spending.

This news comes off the heels of a recent discovery of a hidden account held by the fire department, which was used to make unauthorized purchases of equipment.