FY 23 Approved Budget Book

COUNTY BUDGET POLICIES AND PROCESS

State built an agricultural research and exposition facility (The Grove) that provides federal, state and local agricultural agencies to be housed in one location. Performance Measure Management In 1996, Harford County instituted Performance Based Management through all levels of County Government. In addition to current and future basic operational obligations we must also recognize expenses that work towards meeting the Administration’s short term objectives and long term goals. It is imperative that department/agency strategic plans, budgets, and performance measures align with the Countywide Mission, Vision, Goals and Objectives. This includes outside agencies that are funded by Harford County. In addition, departments and agencies have established short-term objectives to meet their goals. Performance Measures will then quantify their success or failure in meeting these objectives and goals. Harford County’s Administrative Fiscal Policies Long Term Financing Techniques General Obligation Bonds - are also known as full faith and credit bonds . Their quality and payment is based on the general credit and taxing power of the County. The County must take whatever actions are necessary to assure repayment. Such bonds are typically used to finance the capital portion of tax supported, general public purpose governmental activities with schools, libraries, and public safety buildings. Revenue Bonds - are payable solely from identified sources of revenue that may be derived from rates, fees, or charges for service imposed on users of the financed project, tax increment, or specified General Fund non ad valorem tax revenues. Typically, these bonds are used for the County owned water and sewer system activities of treatment, collection, production, and distribution. Special Assessment Bonds - are bonds secured solely by the properties in the district, with revenues generated by a special assessment or tax on the properties. Under law the County may establish assessment districts and issue bonds for infrastructure improvements. Lease Purchase/Certificates of Participation - are obligations of the public entity secured by an installment sale or leaseback arrangement with a public entity lease. The lease generally pledges general operating revenues to cover the lease payments, which may or may not be reimbursed by revenues from the projects. These obligations do not constitute indebtedness under Maryland constitutional debt limitation. Payments to be made under valid leases are payable only in the year in which use and occupancy of the leased property is available, and lease payments may not be accelerated.

Interaction of Federal, State and County Governments

All enacted laws and regulations imposed by Federal and State legislation must be carefully monitored by County Government to determine the eventual consequence on local expenditure requirements. Although Harford County actively pursues available intergovernmental

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