Harford County Executive David Craig proposed a $734.9 million operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2015, a $79.6 million decrease from the current year, with expectations of a difficult budget year ahead.  The proposed budget calls for a reduction in capital spending, with a slight increase in spending for the local school system.

From The Baltimore Sun article,

Craig noted federal officials anticipate a loss of about 3,000 jobs at Aberdeen Proving Ground and Fort George G. Meade in Anne Arundel County with shrinking Defense Department budgets and a decrease in the size of the military.

“That would be a huge decrease in our income tax and probably more foreclosures and issues like that,” he said during the briefing. “That’s not a set thing, but we just want to be prepared for that.”

The proposed budget also cites

Craig and Treasurer Kathryn Hewitt stressed only small increases are projected in revenue from property and income taxes, the largest sources of revenue for the county.

The county anticipates receiving a slight increase in property tax revenue, less than 1 percent, while income tax revenue is projected to increase 4.3 percent.

…

County employees, including sheriff’s personnel and library system employees, won’t be getting any raises in the new budget.

Spending will decrease in many areas of the general operating budget, including the county executive’s office.

At least four areas will see increases in spending, including the county schools ($2.3 million), the human resources department ($1.1 million), information technology (about $600,000) and the Sheriff’s Office (more than $162,000).

To read more about Harford County’s proposed FY 2015 operating and capital budget, visit the county’s website.