County Executive Bob Cassilly is encouraging Harford County residents to submit their priorities and any questions they may have regarding the county’s fiscal 2026 budget.

The new fiscal year starts July 1 and Cassilly’s first budget town hall session is set for Feb. 6, at 6 p.m. in the Edgewood Recreation Center at 1980 Brookside Drive.

In a news release Wednesday, Cassilly said adding residents’ questions to the conversation will allow county officials to better inform residents about the budget and “foster a deeper understanding” of it.

“Our budget hearings have traditionally been limited to citizens talking to us about their priorities,” Cassilly said. “This year, we’re also inviting questions to foster a deeper understanding of taxpayer funding and budget decisions that affect us all.”

All questions must be submitted in writing prior to the town hall meeting via email to igovharford@harfordcountymd.gov, or by mail to Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly, 220 S. Main St., Bel Air, MD 21014.

Per county law, Cassilly must present an annual budget in April that addresses funding of the county’s operations and capital programs for the following fiscal year.

Each budget is based on county revenue projections and is granted final approval by the Harford County Council, whose members can only reallocate assigned funds in the budget to public education.

A charter amendment introduced last May by Council member Aaron Penman aimed to increase the council’s power over the budget by allowing members to increase, decrease or delete any items in the proposed annual budget. The council passed the amendment 4-3, allowing the matter to appear as a referendum question on the November ballot. However, the amendment was vetoed by Cassilly and never made it on to the ballot. Cassilly said the amendment had the potential to result in higher taxes, and would result in unsustainable spending.

The Feb. 6 town hall is Cassilly’s first of what he said is “several” opportunities for residents to engage with the upcoming budget. At each town hall, residents will be afforded the opportunity to speak if they do not wish to submit comments online or by mail.

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