State of Harford County Is 'Stronger,' Glassman Says in 2017 Address

BEL AIR - County Executive Barry Glassman said that the state of Harford County is getting "stronger each year," pointing to successes such as the administration's preservation of an historic structure for the first time and the connection of the MA & PA Trail in 2016.

Looking ahead, he addressed challenges such as the need to put more resources toward emergency medical services and battling the opioid epidemic. He also said he hopes to continue to shape Harford's history by preserving more land and implementing sustainable growth practices, providing a positive outlook overall.

“I am proud to report that Harford County continues to grow stronger each year as we move forward together," the county executive said Tuesday, delivering his third annual state of the county address.

“Sometimes I become a little impatient at our progress..." Glassman continued. "As with any journey, there will be times and events beyond our control, which slow us or darken our path."

One such event was the murder of two deputies from the Harford County Sheriff's Office in Abingdon on Feb. 10, 2016.

"As dark as the days following those were, the county's love and generosity never shined so bright," Glassman said.

He plans to declare Feb. 10 an official day of remembrance to honor Senior Deputy Patrick Dailey, 52, of Joppa, and Deputy First Class Mark Logsdon, 43, of Fallston. The declaration would call for a period of silence followed by the activation of emergency sirens around the county to remember their sacrifice.

Glassman described the events of that day as "beyond belief" and said: "Our triumph as a county over these experiences...can give hope and courage to show that it is possible to come together in any season."

In terms of actual seasons, he described the 2016 winter as one for the record books in Harford County.

"I had no idea that last year during this speech, in a couple weeks we would be dealing with a winter storm...which would give us the largest single snowfall in Harford County's history — 37 inches," he said.

• One of Harford's Oldest Homes Saved from Demolition
• 2 Deputies Killed in Abingdon Shooting, Suspect Dead
• MA & PA Trail Connects Fallston, Bel Air, Forest Hill
• Harford Snowfall Sets a Record: Emergency Services

Glassman issued special thanks to the highway division and county staff for securing $1 million in federal reimbursement as well as the photographer from Norrisville Volunteer Fire Company who helped certify the amount of snowfall.

As far as the budget, the two largest sources of county revenue — property and income taxes — were increasing, according to the county executive.

"Growth — albeit modest — has returned," Glassman said.

Early projections show that Harford will finally get back to FY 2012 levels of property tax assessments, after the latest batch, from the Bel Air area, showed 6 percent growth — the highest since 2009 — he reported.

"We expect this revenue to continue to show improvement...as the housing market recovery continues and our commercial base begins to grow," Glassman said.

Income taxes, which he described as "roller coaster revenue" due to the factors of the state and capital gains, were up 7 percent, with a 3 percent growth projected this coming year. He said there was still "a ways to go" for the county and rating agencies to be "comfortable," since he said a 5 percent reserve was important.

Things to look forward to this year in Harford County, according to Glassman:

• Feb. 10 will be designated as day of remembrance for fallen deputies
• Certified historic preservation program will be formed
• Medical director position to be created in EMS system
• Rezoning proposal to be submitted by September, which citizens can track with new tools
• 33 percent increase in agricultural funding to be proposed by Glassman
• $250,000 to go toward battling heroin epidemic
• $2 million in county funding for the Perryman roundabout at MD 159 and Perryman Road

Glassman said he asked the University of Maryland to analyze the county's EMS program "so we could continue to deliver a high level of service to our citizens while responding to the changing needs over the long term."

Going forward, he proposes having a dedicated medical director within the county's department of emergency services and a countywide EMS standards board.

"We value your service and do not intend on replacing that,” Glassman said in a comment directed to EMS providers, adding: “It is time that we begin the hard work of the formal planning and the approvals necessary for the future."

Battling the heroin epidemic was one public health focus in 2016 and will demand even more resources in 2017, he said.

"Despite our efforts, we continue to share the national nightmare of increasing heroin overdoses and deaths," Glassman said. "I am resolute in my determination to save future generations through prevention and [provide] our current addicts with resources for treatment and recovery."

The National Association of Counties presented the 2016 Achievement Award to Harford County for its program to reduce heroin use and overdoses. The award goes to innovative programs that can help inform other jurisdictions through best practices.

For the first time in county history, Harford in 2016 put money toward combating the heroin problem specifically, setting aside $100,000. It launched a public awareness campaign and sought to provide assistance for those moving from active addiction into recovery. Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler continued a practice he implemented in 2015 of approaching drug investigations as intelligence gathering and life saving opportunities, and began tracking overdose data with data from hospitals.

In 2017, the county executive said he planned to put $250,000 toward battling the heroin epidemic.

For the health of the region's infrastructure, Glassman encouraged the state to increase funding for pothole and road repairs with money from the gas tax, which he said had shifted to state control and resulted in a 90 percent loss in revenue available to Harford County over the past decade.

At the council meeting after Glassman's address, Councilman Joseph Woods said he would keep tabs on the road funding/gas tax issue, since he will be attending the legislative session in Annapolis starting Wednesday.

What's on your wish list for Harford County this year? Tell us in the comments!

Still photo from state of the county address via Harford County Government. Below, read the full text of the 2017 state of the county address.