Housing committee backs renewal of Charles Village Community Benefits District

The Baltimore City Housing and Economic Development Committee voted unanimously among members present on March 25 to report favorably on legislation renewing the Charles Village Community Benefits District and Management Authority and sent the bill to the full City Council for final action.

Vice Chair Odette Ramos (14th District) described the measure as the routine, quadrennial reauthorization required of community benefits districts, said Charles Village was the city’s first such district when it formed in 1995, and urged the committee to approve the renewal. "I have submitted my written testimony, so I'd urge a favorable report by the committee," Ramos said.

Desiree Lucky of the city Law Department told the committee the bill is approved for form and legal sufficiency. Gabriel Stewart Sikwitz of the Finance Department outlined the district's funding and scale, saying the authority is financed primarily by a property tax surcharge of 12 per $100 of assessed value, with about 3,400 properties in the district (approximately 3,100 taxable and roughly 242 non-taxable). Sikwitz said estimated revenue from the surcharge for fiscal 2026 is about $1,100,000, based on data current as of March 25, 2025.

Councilman Jermaine Jones, who serves on the district board, said residents view the district as an asset that supplements city services, citing efforts to keep the neighborhood "clean, green, and safe," community events such as film nights, and programs to support local shops. No members of the public testified either in person or online during the public-comment period.

Vice Chair Ramos moved to approve the bill; Jones seconded the motion. Chair James Torrance then called the roll: Torrance, Jones, Ramos and Councilman Zach Blanchard voted yes. Councilman Eric Glover was recorded as absent. The committee reported the bill favorably by a 4-0 vote with one absence and forwarded it to the next City Council meeting on Monday.

The committee did not amend the bill during the meeting. Next steps: the City Council will consider the renewal in its full session; the committee’s favorable report places the measure on the council agenda for final consideration.