FY 24 APPROVED OPERATING BUDGET

12 - General Collections: Collected 13 - Bankruptcy: Collected

$204,991.46 $77,960.84

$90,000

$152,378.93 $30,656.25 $50,000 $1,147,145.59 $1,520,098.84 $1,500,000

14 - Busines Personal Property: Collected

Performance Measure 1: Outside Counsel

ABOUT THIS MEASURE:

This measure is tracking the amount spent on outside attorneys.

WHAT IS BEING DONE AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TRACK:

To examine whether the Law Department should bring work in-house that is being performed by outside attorneys.

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO CURRENT PERFORMANCE:

The demand/need for outside attorneys or litigation varies depending on caseload and casetype.

Performance Measures 2 - 11: Workers Compensation & Vehicle Accident/Damage

ABOUT THIS MEASURE:

The Risk Management office, a division of the Law Department, is responsible for the oversight of all risk management and countywide safety programs, including but not limited to workers' compensation claims and vehicle damage for the HCSO and County vehicles.

WHAT IS BEING DONE AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TRACK:

1. Rapidly and thoroughly assess workplace injury claimes and coordinate handling of workers' compensation, FMLA leave, and STD/LTD in order to minimize loss associated with each injury event. 2. Rapidly and accurately assess liability in motor vehicle accident cases 3. Proactively pursue subrogation claims in motor vehicle accident cases where the County vehicle operator is not at fault

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO CURRENT PERFORMANCE:

Workers' compensation and vehicle damage claims vary annually and are triggered by unplanned events. Harford County is self insured for such events.

Performance Measure 12 - 14: Collections

ABOUT THIS MEASURE:

The County has a collections paralegal who institutes collection proceedings against persons owing personal property taxes or other unpaid fees to the County. Differences in the annual dollars collected are attributed to differing factors. In the latter half of 2023, there has been an increase in the number of unpaid personal property tax claims. This may be an early indicator of worsening cash flow for businesses as rising costs may be outpacing increases in revenue.

WHAT IS BEING DONE AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TRACK: Examining how the number trend provides insight to potential economic trends.

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO CURRENT PERFORMANCE:

One large business personal property tax collection contributed substantially to the increase, in addition to more "slow pay" businesses requiring the institution of collection proceedings to obtain payment.

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