FY 26 Approved Operating Budget

COUNTY COUNCIL

ORIGIN & PURPOSE : The County Council is the legislative branch of the Harford County Government . The Council is comprised of six Council Members and the Council President who are elected to a four - year term by the voters . The Council is responsible for enacting all County laws . The Council adopts all County Master Plans including land use , transportation , community facilities , water and sewerage , and solid waste . The Council enacts laws establishing zoning regulations and comprehensive zoning maps . The Council adopts the annual operating and capital budgets , sets the property tax rate , and authorizes bond issues . The Council appoints and oversees the annual County audit and functions of the Board of Health and the Board of Appeals . The Council has oversight of the Zoning Hearing Examiners , People ' s Counsel , People ' s Counsel Citizens Advisory Board and HarfordTV . The County Council Department consists of fi ve divisions : Council O ffi ce , Board of Appeals and Rezoning , O ffi ce of Council Attorney and the People ' s Counsel , HarfordTV , and O ffi ce of the County Auditor . MISSION STATEMENT : To provide constituent and legislative services to the citizens of Harford County in a timely , e ffi cient and cost e ff ective manner . GOALS : To adhere to charter and code requirements in the operations of the department and its divisions To promote e ff ective communications with citizens about the Council and its divisions To e ffi ciently provide sta ff support and resources for assistance to Council members , contractual sta ff , divisions and the public

To enhance the use of technology in order to be more e ffi cient and cost e ff ective To provide a smooth transition for the new Council after the general election

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