Olszewski Announces Members of Blue Ribbon Budget Commission
Cross-functional experts to recommend improvements, enhance transparency
County Executive Johnny Olszewski today announced the full membership of his new blue ribbon commission tasked with studying the County budget process.
The Baltimore County Commission on Fiscal Sustainability, which Olszewski created on his first day in office, is tasked with developing recommendations to improve fiscal sustainability and identify opportunities for enhanced transparency and increased public engagement in the budgeting process.
“This group of fiscal and policy experts are some of the best and brightest from across our state and are uniquely qualified to help us streamline and reform the County’s budgeting process,” said Olszewski.
The seven-member Commission on Fiscal Sustainability consists of four voting members appointed by the County Executive:
- Carolyn Colvin, Former Acting Commissioner of the United States Social Security Administration
- Lester Davis, Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of the Office of Policy & Communications, Office of Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young
- Warren Deschenaux, Former Executive Director, Maryland Department of Legislative Services
- Don Mohler, Former Baltimore County Executive
As well as three voting members selected by the County Council:
- Edwin Crawford, Former Managing Partner, Lyons Investment Group
- Elizabeth Irwin, Deputy County Auditor, Baltimore County
- Edward Walters, Vice President, Head of Managed Accounts, T. Rowe Price
“Our annual budget is the blueprint that sets our priorities and charts the course for County government, and we can only benefit from inviting outside experts and the public to offer fresh perspectives and help us identify opportunities for improvement,” said County Council Chairman Tom Quirk.
The volunteer members will serve one-year terms at the pleasure of the County Executive. The commission will issue interim recommendations to the County Executive by February 15, 2019, in time to be considered as part of the FY 20 budget cycle. Final recommendations are due by May 15, 2019.
The Commission’s first meeting will be held Tuesday, January 15, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 118 of the Historic Courthouse, 400 Washington Avenue, Towson, MD 21204.