Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly Releases FY 2024 Budget Proposal, Funding Decrease From Last Year But No Tax Increases Included

HAVRE DE GRACE - Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly released his fiscal year 2024 budget proposal after an in-depth analysis of current operations and spending. The budget totals $1,184,307,000, a decrease of nearly $37 million from the 2023 budget.

The highlight of the budget is that it will not raise tax rates. Additionally, the proposed budget would cut Harford County’s structural deficit in half.

“I have met with my budget team every day for the past four months and reviewed county spending and operations in detail to ensure we’re acting responsibly as good stewards of taxpayer funds,” Cassilly wrote in a statement.

Highlights of the FY 2024 Budget Proposal:

• Would not increase tax rates.
• Expands emergency services, adding 130 first-responder positions and $10 million in new funding.
• Increases salaries for law enforcement and criminal justice workers + ten new deputies and 13 new positions for the state’s attorney’s office.
• Meets (but does not exceed) the $305 million state requirement for education funding.
• Funding for school upgrades: $20 million for Harford Technical High School, $17 million for Aberdeen Middle, and $16 million to plan a new combined elementary school and Harford Academy.
• $23 million for road & bridge maintenance/repairs
• $2.7 million for trails and parks.

In his statement about the budget, Cassilly focused on fiscal responsibility and decreasing the county deficit.

“I have not raised taxes as other Maryland counties have done. But we must act now to restore fiscal responsibility while maintaining essential services. My budget reduces our structural deficit, greatly increases funding for my top priority – public safety – and provides education funding in the amount required by the state,” Cassilly wrote.

Throughout May, the county council will hold two work sessions with county department leaders and two public hearings to discuss the budget.

The county council must approve a budget by June 15.