Harford Executive Cassilly Invites Public Input on County Budget for FY 2027; Public Hearing Planned for Feb. 17

BEL AIR, Md., (Feb. 5, 2026) – Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly today released a video inviting citizen input on the fiscal year 2027 county budget, which takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Citizen input is welcome at a budget hearing set for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at North Harford High School, or via email to igovharford@harfordcountymd.gov or by U.S. Mail at 220 S. Main Street, Bel Air, MD 21014.

The county executive’s video appears below, followed by the video text:

Video text

“I’m Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly, here to talk about the next county budget.

Funding for our budget comes mainly from your income and property taxes.

It’s helpful to think of the county budget as a pie chart.

As you can see, three-quarters of the county budget, or 75% goes to public safety and education, which are our top priorities. 

The remaining 25% pays for everything the county government does: highway maintenance, parks and rec, senior centers and programs, planning and zoning, managing building permits, protecting the taxpayers, supplying water and sewage services, and so much more.

Except for public safety, the portion of the budget that I control has grown by only 1% during my administration.

At the same time, we’ve increased funding for the sheriff’s office by 17%

And increased funding for the public schools by 8.2%

I highly value the work of our teachers and law enforcement.

And I want to be clear that their funding will continue to grow.

In fact 12 months ago, to better coordinate with our public schools, I proposed regular budget meetings between county and school system staff and a three-year budget plan. This plan was to align school funding increases with the growth in county revenues. Superintendent Bulson agreed to work with this plan.

Here’s the presentation the superintendent made to the school board.

I funded the 8% increase for the current year, and I’m prepared to provide the agreed upon $23M increase in operating funds for next year, FY 2027.

But Superintendent Bulson’s budget requested nearly double the agreed amount, or a $54M increase of 15.5%

15.5% would require a tax increase, which I will not support. Or it would eliminate entire county departments, which I will not do.

The state budget will also greatly impact our ability to grow and fund local needs.

But I will continue to fund priorities and live within our taxpayers’ means.

In April, I’ll announce my recommended budget and send it to the County Council for review. They’ll hold hearings and vote on the budget before the new fiscal year starts on July 1st.

Remember that outside agencies like the sheriff’s office, public schools, community college and public library decide how to spend their funding after their county funding is approved by the council and state funding is approved by state legislators.

As my budget team continues to work on the next budget, we’re inviting input from our citizens and taxpayers.

Send me your priorities by email or U.S. Mail. I look forward to hearing from you.”

The current, FY 2026, county budget is posted on the county government website at:

http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/1531/Budget-and-Management-Research.