Commissioners Pass Bel Air Budget with No Raises

The Bel Air Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the $14.9 million fiscal year 2012 budget Monday. The total expenditures are about $460,000 higher than last year, but do not include any tax increases or employee cost of living increases.

About $130,000 was included under "contingency" in Town Administrator Chris Schlehr's original proposal, but the commissioners removed the additional funding at Tuesday's work session. The money likely would have funded the cost of living increases.

There were also multiple recognitions during the evening, including a number of elementary school students.

8:20 p.m. The meeting has been adjourned.

8:18 p.m. The commissioners unanimously passed the fiscal year 2012 budget with 12 amendments from Town Administrator Chris Schlehr's original proposal in April. The amendments were voted on in Tuesday's commissioner's work session.

The most significant adjustment was the $130,000 contingency decrease. The money likely would have been transferred to employee salaries for cost of living adjustment increases, Schlehr said before the meeting.

About $120,000 has been added for the Culvert project near George Street. Most of this money came from the unexpected influx of highway user revenues.

Mayor David Carey said he does not support the citizen and sworn officer pension contribution increases.

"We really do try to give the citizens of Bel Air the best bang for their bucks," Commissioner Robert Preston said after the vote.

8:13 p.m. The commissioners unanimously received the Planning Commission's 2011 annual report.

"The main thrust of 2010 was changes to development regulations and comprehensive zoning," Planning Director Kevin Small said before the vote. "Other notable projects were the Armory Marketplace, St. Matthews Annex and the designation of the Arts and Entertainment District."

8:11 p.m. American Infrastructure was the low bidder and has been awarded a contract to do repair work on East MacPhail Road.

Construction work on other 218,700 square feet of roads in town has been awarded to  in Kingsville. The contract is for $392,560.

Director of Public Works Randy Robertson said he hopes the projects begin in June.

8:05 p.m. No one spoke during the budget public hearing.

7:53 p.m. The total expenditures for all funds in the budget ($14.9 million) Schlehr is presenting are $19,000 less than .

7:44 p.m. Town Administrator Chris Schlehr began presenting the final proposed budget, centering his comments on enterprise funds and special revenue funds.

Click here for coverage of the  and the .

7:43 p.m. It's Director of Economic Development Trish Heidenreich's birthday. Chief Leo Matrangola says shes 30. Still trying to confirm that.

7:42 p.m. Chairman of the Board of Commissioners David Carey presented a proclamation to the Hearing Assessment Center Inc.

The proclamation stated that the town will take "proactive steps" toward preserving hearing.

The week of May 16 is "Better Hearing, Better Living Week."

7:38 p.m. Three local students are being honored as winners of the Historic Preservation Committee's poster contest.

Spencer Matthews from won first place.

Bryan G. from  won second place.

Jessica Mills from Homestead-Wakefield Elementary School won third place.

They will also receive a savings bond.

Two honorable mention winners from each school received a gift certificate to a local restaurant:

Caleb S. and Christian P. from .

Rebecca Cox Ross Mace from Harford Day School.

Amy Fan and Liz G. from Homestead-Wakefield Elementary School.

I apologize for any misspellings. A list of names was not available.

7:32 p.m. Three Historic Preservation Committee members were recognized by Commissioner Edward Hopkins.

May has been designated as Historic Preservation Month in .