Harford County officials want the public?s feedback on the proposed 2007 budget to be heard at Bel Air High School Thursday evening.
The first of two public hearings on the budget will be held 7 p.m. Thursday at Bel Air High School at the school, giving citizens an opportunity to voice their opinions on County Executive David Craig?s proposed $739.7 million budget. The second hearing will be May 11 at Havre de Grace High School.
While citizens already got to talk about their preferences and priorities when Craig was creating his proposal, advocates still come to the public hearings to support the budget proposals or ask for more.
“You get a sense of what people really care about,” said county spokeswoman Susan Collins.
County Council President Robert Wagner predicted that there would be relatively little public concern, since most departments got what they wanted from the county executive.
“I don?t think there?s been anything very controversial in this budget,” Wagner said.
District A Councilman Dion Guthrie felt the sheer size of the budget might pique public interest.
“Maybe this will be different because it?s a very aggressive budget ? the largest in Harford?s history,” Guthrie said.
The proposed budget ? which includes a $14 million increase for the Board of Education and $11.5 million more for public safety ? will be reviewed by the County Council, amended as they see fit at a session held May 15 and put up for a vote May 16, Wagner said.
Over the last month, Craig has traveled the county to emphasize his three main funding priorities: A total of $189.4 million for county schools, $51.5 million for the County Sheriff?s Office, and $23 million for expansion of parks and recreation centers.
