Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly approved a final fiscal 2026 budget Wednesday night, ending a controversial budget cycle defined by unmet funding requests, position cuts and more than $6 million in budget amendments.

The $1.3 billion budget includes the operating budget as well as the capital budget for construction projects. The budget was scrutinized by County Council members who advocated for additional funding for the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office, Harford Community College and public safety priorities.

Council members cut more than $6 million from the budget through amendments to give Cassilly the money to pay for $1 million in increases they had requested. Of the $6 million, $1 million will be returned to the general fund. The remainder would have been raised through bond issues.

The council passed the amended budget Tuesday in a 6-1 vote with Councilman Jacob Bennett casting the dissenting vote.”

Bennett criticized Cassilly throughout the budget process, calling into question the county executive’s choice to fund vacant positions and funding levels for education and public safety.

“I have many concerns with this budget,” Bennett wrote on social media after the council passed the budget. “I continue to be concerned about the long-term wellbeing of our community with the trends I see financially.”

Cassilly said his budget “fully funds” the school system’s $347.6 million budget request with an increase of $26.2 million over this year. The increase is $33.8 million less than the $60 million school officials said the district needed to avoid cuts.

The district cut more than 150 positions, ended summer school sessions, reduced its salary package and took other cost-saving measures to bring its budget request to a level Cassilly would fund.

As for higher education, Harford Community College will receive the same amount of money from the county next year as it gets now. College President Theresa Felder said that would result in a slight tuition increase.

The 2026 budget funds a 6% wage increase for eligible deputies and corrections officers along with a 3% cost-of-living increase and a merit step for sheriff’s office employees. Cassilly said the average salary for a deputy is now $106,000, not including overtime, and $82,000 for corrections officers.

The Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office got a funding increase of 11%, which brings the state’s attorney’s overall budget increase to 31% since Cassilly took office three years ago.

Numerous capital improvement projects will be funded, including a new recreational center in Aberdeen, a new Whiteford fire station and an access road to the CopperPlex sports complex in Edgewood. Traffic safety improvements will also be funded, including upgrades to Mountain Road and Harford Road, as well as traffic safety enhancements to the intersection of Grafton Shop Road and Maryland Route 23 which has been the scene of dozens of vehicle crashes.

Harford County’s approved fiscal 2026 budget will go into effect July 1.

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