About Us
Baltimore Efficiency & Economy Foundation
Mission: Baltimore Efficiency & Economy Foundation (BEEF) is a catalyst for action, dedicated to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Baltimore City government and the City’s quality of life. We are an independent, non-profit civic organization.
In 1998, engaged civic activists formed a unique new organization to support improved governmental operations. The activists shared the common belief that independent, nonpartisan research is the means to a more effective and efficient City government. Today, more than ten years later, the Baltimore Efficiency & Economy Foundation, or BEEF, has worked with four Administrations, beginning at the end of Mayor Schmoke’s term in office.
BEEF’s primary activity is to direct independent review of various aspects of City government management, operations and fiscal and tax policy. By helping City government achieve efficiencies in its operations and services, we believe that existing funds will be freed to provide new, improved services, reduce the deficit and implement targeted tax relief.
Completed projects have either resulted in containing costs, earning the City new revenues, or bringing the City cutting edge information to impact decision making. Each project has discreet objectives. Projects such as the health benefits study, fuel sites evaluation, Project SCOPE, the Aquatics Division and recreation facilities evaluations, and the alternative revenues and competitive re-engineering studies have had a profoundly positive impact on Baltimore City government operations.
BEEF invites suggestions of various areas of City government, operations and fiscal affairs that may benefit from outside research. Projects are undertaken by volunteer task forces composed of professionals and citizens with relevant expertise, or contracted to independent research organizations.
Project results are shared with the public to provide them necessary information to participate in informed dialogues on public issues. It is hoped that the Foundation studies and public forums will encourage community participation and involvement in local government by supporting strong independent citizen input on matters of importance to Baltimore City.
BEEF’s historic forerunner is the Baltimore Commission on Governmental Efficiency and Economy, which made a significant contribution to the City’s economic growth and fiscal stability from 1923 to 1975. A national magazine wrote, “For the first time in American history in an American city, taxpayers, at their own expense, investigated the administration of their tax money, found out what was wrong, and changed the whole system. In one year that group of businessmen cut City taxes by 13%.”
The Commission conducted independent research on the operations of local government from 1928 to 1975 and made many positive contributions to the City for nearly half a century, including studies on City budgets, City debt, City property, the Courts, the election system, highways, jails, the library, museums, pension system, personnel, planning & zoning, police, fire, public works, purchasing, recreation & parks, schools, welfare, state/city cooperation, improvements and savings in marketing municipal bond issues and many more.
BEEF renews the creative work of the Commission – reborn after a quarter-century. The earlier Commission was so well respected that cities throughout the U. S. contacted the Baltimore Commission to learn how to set up similar organizations. Comparable organizations continue to serve an important function in other U.S. cities. In Los Angeles, the Citizens’ Economy & Efficiency Commission was formed in 1964. Research Atlanta, Inc. studies public policy issues to foster business development, solutions to community problems and efficiency in local government.
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