Cassilly Dedicates Additional $6.5M to Public Schools in FY 25

Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly plans to increase funding for the public school system by $6.5M next year, following higher than expected county revenue.

The increase brings total county operating funding for HCPS to $321,352,402 in FY 2025.

In January, based on an estimated 5% increase in county revenue, County Executive Cassilly said he hoped to provide an additional 5% or $15M to the school system next year.

Then in March, he announced that the budget would be re-evaluated based on an unanticipated $13M drop in income tax revenue that mirrored a statewide economic slowdown. Determined not to raise taxes, the county executive’s budget released in April was flat overall, with significant increases reserved for public safety.

“County Council President Pat Vincenti and I have been working collaboratively to move the budget forward,” County Executive Cassilly said. “I am committed to a transparent budget process, which is why I have been providing public updates on our fiscal position as major changes occur. Whether the news is good or bad, it is important for our citizens and the entities that we fund to have timely information about our finances. I released my proposed FY25 budget in April, then just this week we received an income tax revenue distribution from the state that came in
slightly above expectations. Given this upturn, my staff is preparing a budget amendment now to provide an additional $6.5M for instructional salaries in Harford County Public Schools. Council President Vincenti has communicated to me the council’s support for increased education funding, and I look forward to their approval of this amendment and my budget overall to benefit the citizens and taxpayers we all serve.”