The Harford County Council Tuesday night unanimously approved County Executive Barry Glassman's $642.3 million operating budget for Fiscal Year 2016.
Before taking its final vote, the council approved the last of a host of amendments that left the operating budget total as proposed by Glassman unchanged but raised the total capital budget by about $1.6 million to just over $91 million.
Tax rates will remain unchanged in the new budget which takes effect July 1.
The base real property tax rate is 89.37 cents per $100 of assessed value. In addition, property owners outside the municipalities of Aberdeen, Bel Air and Havre de Grace pay a highway tax, or differential, of 14.83 cents per $100 of assessed value, a total tax rate of $1.042. The local income tax rate is 3.06 percent.
The new operating budget is $14.8 million higher than the 2015 budget of $627.5 million; however, the new capital budget is $16.1 million lower than the 2015 capital budget of $107.3 million.
The increase in the final capital budget over what Glassman had introduced comes from state and federal grants, not additional county funding, Kim Spence, county budget and management research chief, said following the council meeting.
The council unanimously passed 16 new amendments to the budget Tuesday, on top of 29 approved at the previous meeting. The latest amendments balanced "paygo" parts of the highway capital fund and parks and recreation capital fund budget, as well as the general capital budget, Spence told the council. Paygo represents capital expenses paid from basic revenue rather than borrowed funds.
Councilman Mike Perrone was alone in commenting on the budget before it was approved, praising Glassman for "doing something that is rare in government, and that is, showing foresight and not kicking the can down the road."
Perrone said Harford's debt had started to become a problem, and "our county executive chose to start making those difficult choices right off the bat, and I believe he and his staff should be recognized for their efforts."
Glassman, who took office in December and presented his first budget in mid-April, has focused on slowing down capital projects. At the time of its introduction, he said the budget contained "the lowest level of capital spending in 10 years." Even with the final amendments, the $91.2 million capital budget is the first under $100 million in several years.
The county executive released a statement Tuesday night after learning the budget passed, saying he is "encouraged that the County Council shares my vision for making Harford County stronger."
"By operating more efficiently and by reducing our debt, we are now able to fund long overdue investments in our valued public safety, education and government employees, without raising taxes," Glassman said.
The 29 amendments previously approved by the council covered moving funds for position transfers to the Department of Community Services and Budget and Management Research, as well as for contractual services for facilities and operations, Spence said.
Other amendments added appropriation authority for existing stormwater management projects, added appropriation authority for state grants for the Havre de Grace Library expansion and reallocated funds for road improvement projects, including resurfacing and handicapped access, Spence said.
Glassman also placed enough funding in the budget for $1,000 merit-based pay increases for 890 employees under direct supervision of the county executive. Department heads and their deputies won't be eligible. Additional funding was provided for raises of up to $500 for Harford County Sheriff's Office and the library system. Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler previously said he would match that funding with money elsewhere in his budget so all deputies and correctional officers and civilian employees will get $1,000 raises.
Glassman likewise provided funding to the county school system for raises of up to $1,000 for teachers and $500 for other employees, although most teachers will be getting at least 1.5 percent cost of living increases and so-called step increment raises, typically about 3 percent, under the contract their union has negotiated with the county Board of Education.
Susan Burdette, chairperson of the County Council's Citizens' Budget Advisory Board, told the council members Tuesday the board applauds the work of the county audit department under auditor Chrystal Brooks, as well as Glassman's goal to restore balance and fiscal responsibility, the 0.4 percent overall spending decrease and the first-ever county government funding for heroin addiction treatment.
The board also complimented the county executive's "wise" funding for stormwater remediation projects despite the repeal of the statewide stormwater remediation fee, upgrades to replace the county's "antiquated and inefficient" computer hardware and software and creating a "transparent and open" budget that gave residents multiple chances to voice their opinions.
The board suggested the administration acknowledge the savings gained by using volunteers for fire, EMS, library and other services, and provide and update lists of properties owned and leased by the county, as well as grants and contributions the county gets.
The board also said the school system should fund its own technology materials needs without expecting a capital grant from the county and "take a look at the lack of bus transportation, creating potential hazards for young children walking to school."
Burdette said next year's budget will need to consider the need for "next generation volunteers," as Baby Boomers continue retiring, suggested using the partly-vacant section of the Detention Center for maximum and medium security levels and pointed out the county will need to keep downsizing and consolidating government functions to avoid duplication of effort.
Councilman Jim McMahan and Council President Richard Slutzky thanked the board members for their input, with McMahan saying "the recommendations are especially well-formed."
About the citizens' board, McMahan said: "I think this was one of the best committees we have had in the years I have served, and I thank you for your leadership."