Baltimore, MD – This evening, September 10, 2025, at 5:30 PM, the Biennial Audits Oversight Commission (BAOC) will convene in City Council Chambers to review findings and recommendations from the Biennial Performance Audit of the Department of Human Resources (DHR). The audit was conducted by Baltimore City’s Department of Audits within the Comptroller’s Office.
This performance audit examined decentralized hiring processes for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023 both within DHR and at several large departments. The audit found that Baltimore City lacks the ability to effectively track, monitor, and resolve bottlenecks in the hiring process.
This hearing builds on the City Council’s oversight efforts during the FY2026 Budget process, when Council members raised concerns about overtime expenses, long-term vacancies, and overall workforce capacity. The BAOC looks to ensure that recommendations from this performance audit are acted on in a way that strengthens Baltimore City’s ability to fill vacancies and reduce reliance on overtime.
Statement from Council President Zeke Cohen:
“Baltimore's ability to deliver the essential services residents need hinges on an efficient hiring process that can identify and recruit employees with the skill sets our agencies require. During this year’s budget hearings, the Council noted rising overtime costs and persistent vacancies. Today’s BAOC meeting will examine efforts to strengthen our hiring processes by implementing the common-sense recommendations offered by our City’s Auditor.”
What: Biennial Audits Oversight Commission (BAOC) Meeting on Department of Human Resources Audit
Who: Members of the Baltimore City Council, Department of Audits, Department of Human Resources, Department of Transportation, Department of Finance, Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, and Baltimore Police Department.
When: Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 5:30 PM
Where: Baltimore City Hall, 100 N. Holliday Street, City Council Chambers
A livestream of the hearing will be provided on CharmTV and WebEx. Members of the press wishing to attend should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the hearing, at 4:45 p.m. Please RSVP if you intend to come to the hearing.
For more information, please contact: Tijani Harris
760-889-0058 Tijani.Harris@baltimorecity.gov