Harford County Treasurer Bobby Salas told the council on the record that the county executive has requested a $215,000 supplemental appropriation from the general fund balance to the capital budget to address elevator repairs at two county-contracted facilities.

"Most of this expense is related to the Citizens Care center elevator, which is $200,000 of that $215,000," Salas said, adding that the total Citizens Care elevator project is estimated at $400,000 and that Citizens Care is contributing $200,000 toward the cost. He said the Harford Center required approximately $15,000 for emergency repairs.

The appropriation is intended to cover immediate emergency work while a larger replacement project is planned for a future budget year and expected to include Community Development Block Grant and other grant dollars, Salas said.

Council members thanked the administration for acting quickly. Council members who serve as liaisons to the facilities described the elevators as older systems in need of replacement; one member noted that the Citizens Care elevator may be among the oldest in operation in the state.

No members of the public registered to speak during the hearing, and the council president closed the public hearing, announcing the council will take up the bill at its next meeting.

A companion resolution (Resolution 001-26) was read into the record to adjust the county's capital program to reflect the proposed appropriation.

What happens next: The council did not vote on the appropriation at this meeting; the item will return on a future agenda for formal consideration.

Sources: Presentation by Harford County Treasurer Bobby Salas; companion resolution read by Councilman Giordano.