Harford County leaders honor police sacrifice and discuss 2026 budget projections

The Board of Town Commissioners in Bel Air, Harford County, convened on May 13, 2025, for a budget work session, focusing primarily on the upcoming fiscal year's budget and the sewer fund's financial outlook. The meeting began with a solemn commemoration of Police Week, where officials, including Chief Moore, laid a wreath to honor fallen officers, emphasizing the risks faced by law enforcement personnel.

Transitioning to budget discussions, the commissioners reviewed the sewer fund, which is projected to see a rate increase of 21 cents per thousand gallons, raising the rate from $7.29 to $7.50. This adjustment, effective July 1, 2025, is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase of 2.9% as of December 2024. The town's code allows for this automatic adjustment, which has been a consistent practice in recent years.

Commissioners expressed concerns about the unpredictability of costs associated with sewage treatment, as the town relies on Harford County for these services. The county's rate increases are typically communicated late in the year, complicating the budgeting process. Officials noted that the town often budgets conservatively, aiming for a break-even scenario due to the uncertainty of future costs.

The budget also includes provisions for ongoing maintenance and operational costs of the sewer system, which comprises approximately 40 miles of sewer mains and 13 pump stations. Notably, there are no new funding requests for vehicles or capital projects this year, with a focus on maintaining existing infrastructure.

As the meeting progressed, the commissioners acknowledged the challenges of budgeting without clear projections from the county, highlighting the need for better communication and forecasting from county officials. The session concluded with a commitment to revisit the budget as new information becomes available, ensuring that the town can effectively manage its sewer services while keeping costs manageable for residents.