The Harford County Council held a public hearing on April 24, 2025, to discuss the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, focusing on employee compensation and departmental needs. The meeting began with an overview of proposed salary adjustments, including cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) and merit increases for county employees.

A key point of discussion was the methodology behind determining salary increases. Officials indicated that the county aims to provide annual COLAs tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or inflation rates. For FY26, a 3% COLA and a $1,000 merit increase were proposed, reflecting a slight increase from the previous year's 1% COLA and similar merit increase.

Council members inquired about the number of employees affected by these adjustments. It was noted that the COLA would apply to 18 employees as detailed in the staff chart, with additional temporary salaries also receiving adjustments. The merit increase is contingent upon satisfactory performance evaluations and requires employees to have been with the county for at least one year.

The discussion also touched on specific budget allocations, including a concern raised by Councilman Tibbs regarding the adequacy of $528,000 allocated for tree removal. He expressed doubts about whether this amount would suffice, particularly for rural areas with earthen roads.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the county's commitment to employee compensation while addressing budgetary constraints and specific departmental needs. The council will continue to refine the budget before final approval, ensuring that both employee welfare and community services are adequately funded.