Board of Public Works briefing highlights grants, zoo oversight and $39 million in compensation awards

Micah Richards, the Department of Legislative Services analyst, told the Education, Business and Administration Subcommittee that the Board of Public Works’ FY25 allowance falls $15.9 million from FY24 to $30.5 million, driven largely by a reduction in section 19 grant funding to nonprofits.

John Gontrum, representing the Board of Public Works, said the board’s operating budget is “over 90%” pass-through funding, consisting chiefly of grants to specified grantees and a contingent fund for compensation. He noted the board’s remaining operating costs are dominated by personnel expenses.

Grantee witnesses described how state support is used locally. Karen Tymer Brown, president and CEO of Historic Annapolis, urged continued operational funding to maintain 12 state-owned historic properties (about 40,000 square feet and 2 acres) that serve roughly 200,000 visitors a year. “This funding is essential for us so that we can preserve and protect these physical spaces,” she said.

Jana Davis, president of the Chesapeake Bay Trust, outlined two programs in the governor’s bill: a $10 million Urban Trees grant program and a $1.5 million Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps expansion. She said the Trust directs the vast majority of its revenue into community grants and programming.

Other grantees – including the Signal 13 Foundation, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and the Maryland Zoo – described local impacts tied to grant support. Wesley Hines of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad said ridership climbed from 47,000 in 2021 to 75,000 in 2023 and asked for continued state support. Kirby Fowler, president of the Maryland Zoo, reported 423,000 visitors last year and emphasized the zoo’s increase in school visits (about 60,000 school children, including 19,000 from Title I schools).

DLS recommended that the Maryland Zoological Society submit audited FY24 financial statements and provide monthly attendance reports for FY25 by visitor group so the committee can track use of state funds.

The hearing also recorded the Board of Public Works’ compensation activity: since the first award for erroneous incarceration compensation, the board has approved $39 million in awards to 26 individuals, and DLS presented projected spending through FY26–27.