Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly has proposed $260.98 million in capital funding for dozens of projects across the county in the fiscal year beginning July 1.

The largest portion of the fiscal 2026 capital budget — $87.2 million — is for nine projects in the public school system, which makes up 33% of proposed capital expenditures. The proposal includes funding for a new roof at North Harford High School, $7 million in renovations for C. Milton Wright High School, and $26 million for the new Harford Academy and elementary school in Bel Air — the largest expenditure in the capital budget.

Plans for the new Harford Academy and elementary school indicate the facility will be 223,000 square feet with 400 parking spaces off Eva Mar Boulevard and North Fountain Green Road in Bel Air. Harford County purchased the 44.49-acre site in February 2024 for $6.3 million. The new combination school is slated to be open by the end of summer 2028.

County officials identified Harford Technical High School as the highest priority for renovations for the last three years, and Cassilly’s fiscal 2026 proposal includes $16 million for HVAC, windows, doors, plumbing and electrical work as well as updates to the culinary arts program space; modernization of the cosmetology program space; updated gas and electric for the welding and machine shop; technical upgrades for the computer-aided designing shop and modifications to the health professional space.

Cassilly also proposed $9 million for for a Regional Workforce Development Center at Harford Community College. The money would pay for land acquisition, and engineering and design work.

Cassilly has proposed $22.5 million in capital spending for public safety. Expenditures include public safety equipment, vehicle replacements for the Department of Emergency Services, facility upgrades and new communication equipment including mobile radio systems

The most expensive public safety project proposed in the fiscal 2026 capital budget is the new Whiteford Volunteer Fire Station. Cassilly wants to allocate $7 million for that project. The new facility will be roughly 10,000 square feet larger than the current station and will be located at the intersection of Jones and Whiteford roads. Project plans indicate that construction is set to begin in July.

The remaining expenditures outlined in the proposed capital budget are for facility maintenance, roadway maintenance, equipment replacement for county departments, funding for county parks and water management projects.

Cassilly proposed $4.5 million for a community center in Joppatowne and $50,000 for a traffic light at the intersection of Grafton Shop Road and Route 23, which has been the site of numerous vehicle crashes over the years.

The proposed budget has been sent to the Harford County Council, which will approve a final spending package. The council will hold four budget work sessions on Wednesday, Thursday, and April 28 and 29 at 9 a.m.

Council members will hold two public hearings on the proposed budget May 7 and 15 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers, 212 S. Bond St. in Bel Air.

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