As ARPA Funds Dwindle, MONSE Faces Scrutiny at Budget Hearing
BALTIMORE (WBFF) — In a pivotal budget hearing held on Wednesday night, the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE) found itself in the spotlight, addressing concerns about its funding future.
The ARPA Funding Landscape
For the past few years, MONSE has relied heavily on COVID-19 relief funds provided through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to bolster its staffing. As these funds begin to run dry, the agency must now confront a reality devoid of this financial lifeline. The budgetary adjustments made this year reflect the significant impact of losing this crucial funding source.
Key Budget Adjustments
In its proposed budget, MONSE is seeking an increase of over $4.5 million, bringing the total request to $21.9 million. This increase comes at a time when ARPA funding for essential staff costs will cease at the end of the current fiscal year. Director Stefanie Mavronis articulated the urgency of this situation to the council, explaining how the agency plans to navigate the impending fiscal challenges ahead.
"Our agreement with the recovery office will continue through FY26. We don’t have much money left, but it will be important bridge funding for us for key initiatives, so we’re working with the recovery office to figure out how we program them," she stated.
Transitioning to Sustainable Funding
A critical piece of MONSE’s strategy involves integrating previously ARPA-funded positions into the general fund, now financed by local taxpayers. Of the 20 positions initially funded by ARPA, twelve have already been absorbed into the general budget. This transition reflects a careful, deliberate approach to ensure that the agency retains necessary staff while adapting to a new fiscal landscape.
"Last year we saw two GVRS positions come over. Slowly but surely, we were able to move those positions into the general fund or find other sources, such as grants," Mavronis remarked. "I’m proud we’ve been able to sustain our staffing because we were able to use ARPA funding to create a brand new agency that essentially didn’t exist before."
Evaluating Essential Staffing Needs
However, not all positions initially funded by ARPA will make the transition to the general fund. Mavronis highlighted that some roles deemed non-essential were identified and subsequently excluded from the carryover.
"We started out with 20 ARPA-funded positions, and we have determined some of them were not needed to support our long-term operations," she explained. "I’ve been doing work to ensure we truly assess those positions, and the ones we’ve asked the administration to carry forward are absolutely essential."
This pragmatic approach further emphasizes MONSE’s commitment not just to maintaining its workforce, but also to ensuring that every role within the agency aligns with its long-term operational goals.
Conclusion: The Call for Future Funding
As MONSE prepares for a future with dwindling ARPA funds, the stakeholders and community members must remain vigilant. The need for sustainable funding is paramount to the agency’s mission in fostering neighborhood safety and engagement.
In the face of fiscal constraints, will MONSE continue to effectively safeguard its funding while providing essential services? As residents of Baltimore look on, the upcoming months will prove critical in determining the agency’s financial health and operational efficacy.
For more insights on Baltimore’s budget discussions and funding dynamics, explore this detailed report.
