Official seeks new contract law, more transparency in process

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - When it comes to politics and money in Baltimore City, all roads lead to the city’s Board of Estimates, the body responsible for awarding lucrative city contracts.

The five-member board comprised of the mayor, City Council president, director of Department of Pubic Works, city comptroller and the chief city solicitor has long been criticized for being less than transparent.

But now the inner dealings of the board, and the ties between city contractors and elected officials are front and center as investigators probe the relationship between Mayor Sheila Dixon and Ronald Lipscomb, a prominent city contractor.

Investigators allege Dixon received gifts from Lipscomb in 2003 and 2004 while she served as president of the board, voting favorably for contracts that benefited his company, Doracon. 

But even longtime critics of the mayor said the investigation points to a flawed process for awarding city contracts.

“The issue is much bigger than Sheila Dixon,” said Del. Jill Carter, an opponent of Dixon in the 2007 mayor’s race.

“Dixon was one vote on a Board of Estimates she did not control. They all voted ‘Yes’ on those contracts.”

“Sheila Dixon didn’t vote ‘Yes’ because she wanted a fur coat. She voted ‘Yes’ because she wanted to become the mayor. Joan Pratt didn’t get a fur coat, but she voted ‘Yes.’ ”

The ongoing probe has prompted at least one council member to seek a new law to make contracting more transparent.

“If we had greater transparency on the board this never would have happened,” said city Councilwoman Belinda Conaway, who will introduce a bill at the next City Council meeting that would require all checks written for city services be posted online.

“We need to allow people to know what’s being spent and who is getting the money.”

City Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke, who formerly served as president of the Board of Estimates during her tenure as council president from 1987-1993, said the mayor calls the shots on all city development deals.

“The president has the power of persuasion and the power of the agenda, but basically the mayor has the votes,”

For his part, Gov. Martin O’Malley who was mayor while Dixon served as president of the board, told WJZ-13 he had no knowledge of Dixon’s relationship with Lipscomb.

“I hope that everything works out for the best for Mayor Dixon. I know she was a very strong partner of mine during the years I served the city of Baltimore and I hope things work out.”

sjanis@baltimoreexaminer.com

lbroadwater@baltimoreexaminer.com

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