Harford Exec Cassilly’s Budget Invests In Schools and Public Safety, No Tax Increases

Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly released his recommended fiscal year 2025 budget, which holds government spending flat and keeps tax rates steady. Still, the recommended budget makes significant new public safety and education investments via the County’s fund balance.

Overall, the proposed $773,608,000 general fund operating budget is flat. Any budget increases are offset by reductions and efficiencies elsewhere, including line-item cuts within county departments, leaving some open positions unfilled, and eliminating positions through a retirement incentive. Such measures fund a one percent COLA and $1,000 for county employees.

“While last year’s focus was on reducing excessive spending, this year’s new challenge is a substantial reduction in tax revenue available to operate the state and county governments. The reasons for our state’s current predicament are open to debate, but the fact of the revenue reduction is not,” said County Executive Bob Cassilly. “At the county level, our choices in responding to these challenges are clear. We can hold the line on spending and increase government efficiencies or raise taxes. I do not support a tax increase. Our county’s long-term fiscal success depends on retaining and attracting good businesses and taxpayers. Burdensome tax increases would do neither. They would produce only short-term revenue gains but at the expense of long-term fiscal strength.”

At $314,852,402, funding for Harford County Public Schools is by far the most significant component of the budget and exceeds the maintenance of effort amount required by the State under the Blueprint. The County will continue working with the school system on ways to share and reduce costs.

Operating budget increases are mainly for public safety as the County continues strengthening its emergency medical services, funding competitive salaries for law enforcement, and providing vital resources for the health department. The budget for information and communication technology increases due to the rising software costs, which is necessary to improve overall operational efficiency.

Other notable budget highlights include:

  • No increase in taxes
  • Retain AAA bond rating
  • Record-level funding for public safety, including a 1% COLA and step increase for law enforcement and corrections deputies
  • 1% COLA and $1,000 merit increase for eligible county government employees and equivalent increases for State’s Attorney and Circuit Court employees
  • Funding for 4 SROs added to the Sheriff’s Office budget during fiscal 2024
  • Funding for eight positions added to the Department of Emergency Services during fiscal 2024 for an additional ambulance crew
  • Eliminated 11 positions in county departments through a retirement incentive
  • 24 vacancies frozen for the last quarter of fiscal 2024, and only partial- or half-year funding for fiscal 2025
  • Aside from public safety agencies, most departments held flat or reduced for fiscal 2025
  • Investments in Information and Communications Technology for software programs to support efficiency in government agencies
  • Board of Education, Libraries, and Harford Community College funding held flat for fiscal 2025
  • Health Department funding increased by 5 percent, offset by increased fee revenue

The Harford County Council will hold public hearings on the proposed budget and must pass a budget by June 15.

Watch County Executive Cassilly’s budget video here.

Read the County’s Executive’s budget letter and proposed fiscal 2025 budget here.

Visit the Harford County website for complete details on the proposed budget.