A Conversation with Bill Henry, Comptroller of Baltimore City

Maryland Philanthropy Network is pleased to welcome Bill Henry, Baltimore’s new Comptroller for a conversation with members.

After three terms in the City Council, Bill Henry decided to run for City Comptroller. He felt he still had more to do to improve our city and believed strongly that Baltimore City had been prioritizing the wrong things in its budget over the years. Since the 1990’s, Baltimore City has continuously increased the Baltimore Police Department’s budget, without providing the same increased level of funding for more basic human capital reinvestment, such as affordable housing, recreation, employment development, libraries, and out-of-school time activities. Bill often says that a rising tide may lift all boats… but that only works if everyone is on board.

He believes the city government has lost the trust of too many of the residents we serve, and we need to get them back on board. That means government leaders must be intentional and unafraid to tackle the bureaucratic obstacles that prohibit progress. Restoring faith in our City by creating a more open and transparent Board of Estimates, auditing for efficiency, and helping to improve government services are central goals that are guiding his administration.

The Comptroller and his team want to hear from funders and ask them to be frank in sharing their frustrations and ideas for improving the openness and effectiveness of city government.

This program is for Maryland Philanthropy Network members only.