Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
The Baltimore County Council on Monday approved a $4.4 million increase in compensation for Tito Contractors, Inc.
Tito Contractors Inc. is a minority-owned firm that specializes in general contracting and construction management. With the new $5.7 million maximum compensation, the company will continue to provide skilled labor services at both the County’s Central Acceptance Facility (CAF) in Cockeysville and the Western Acceptance Facility (WAF) in Halethorpe.
“Back in 2017, the council approved on a $1.3 million agreement with Tito Contractors Inc. over a four-year period,” said Administrator Christina Belcostro. “But since 2017, Tito has needed two shifts of laborers rather than one at the County’s Central Acceptance Facility and the county has not had enough temporary work release inmates to contribute. Tito expected an average of 40, but only ended up with 20.”
Despite financial struggles, Baltimore County officials said that Tito Contractors spent $856,000 after about 2.5 years. The firm would have had around $400,000 to spend over the next year and a half.
Since 2017, Baltimore County’s minimum wage increased from $9.25 to $10.10 an hour and officials said the wage is expected to continue rising until 2025. The minimum wage will be $15 an hour by 2025, so Tito Contractors desperately needed more money from the county to work with, officials said.
“The Company was working with what we were giving them,” said Councilman Wade Kach. “They provide a much-needed service in my district and have been doing a good job so we (the seven councilmen) believed they deserved a reward.”
Last November, the County Council and Tito Contractors Inc. made an agreement that by mid-March, Tito will have painted new pickleball courts at the Cockeysville Community Center, Honeygo Regional Park, and Jacksonville Community Center. These indoor pickleball sites are not allowed to exceed $45,000.
On Feb. 19, two of the three indoor pickleball sites were completed and Tito’s third site is set to be completed on time, officials said. Only $30,000 has been used under contract to date.
Pickleball is almost identical to tennis. The court is about half the size of a normal tennis court, the tennis racket is exchanged with a paddle, and the tennis ball is switched with a whiffle ball. This unconventional sport gives players a slower, more fundamental version of tennis.
“Pickleball sounds awesome!” said Towson University student Blessing Lawal. “I have never played tennis before because the ball flies like a bullet, but pickleball sounds slow enough for me to actually hit the ball accurately. Can’t wait to play with my friends!”
Baltimore County plans to building 64 new outdoor pickleball courts by the summer’s end, officials said.