The citizens’ participation and representation in Harford County Government is very important to Harford County Executive Barry Glassman.
“My administration has, as one of its pillars, pledged to use modern technology to improve customer service and promote transparency with our citizens.  We also envision using social media and multi-media events as a way to reinvigorate public participation, not only with the younger generation, but with working families”, said Glassman. “Parents who have children at home may not have the time to run out and attend a meeting, but they may be able to watch a town hall streaming on the Internet.”
Harford County hosted a virtual town hall at Harford Community College’s Darlington Hall on January 27. The town hall gave citizens a chance to speak their minds in various ways including social media such as Twitter and a hotline that residents could call during the live event. The virtual meeting was streamed on Harford County’s internet page and members of the community could watch the event on the Harford Cable Network.
Harford County’s fiscal situation hasn’t been ideal over the last couple years in the eyes of many citizens. One of the biggest issues facing the county is the funding within the school system.
“The county’s obligation to fund the budget for Harford County Public Schools is one of its primary responsibilities, and nearly half of our revenue is dedicated to the public school system,” said Glassman.  “HCPS is currently experiencing a declining enrollment and a flattening of revenue, not only from the county but also from the state funding formulas.” Glassman has asked the school system to re-budget and cut spending where it’s possible.
“Since the county’s overall debt has increased two and a half times over the last ten years, I have deferred the new construction of large capital projects until the county’s revenue picture improves.  Both the Havre de Grace and Joppatowne High School projects have been deferred, although they will be evaluated in the future.”
With the problem of a limited budget, Executive Glassman as well as other leading officials are pressed to prioritize their spending, with the most essential matters coming first. Public safety, education, and fire/EMS services are most important to Glassman, who states that “these are three of the core responsibilities of local government and, in my opinion, they are central to the role of local government.”
The town hall revealed that many Harford County citizens are upset about the current public transportation system in place. Glassman responded to these issues by explaining that Harford Transit Link (the county’s bus system) receives most of its funding from state and federal grants. Because the County Executive believes that it is very important to “transport workers to and from their place of employment,” he currently has his administration reviewing the system place.
Frustration remains high about the budget, and it could be a result of citizens who feel they are not fully aware of the decision making process.  The county executive and his team develop the budget in the fall of each year.  Currently, County Executive Glassman and his administration are meeting with internal department heads as well as outside agencies to discuss requests for funding.
“At this time, we are reviewing our revenue picture, as local government is basically funded from local property taxes and local income taxes.  The county treasurer is reviewing projections to estimate what our revenue will be as we prepare next year’s budget,” said Glassman.

By mid-April the proposed FY2016 budget will be presented to the county council.  The County Council reviews the proposal and then will take formal action by June 15, 2015. “It is interesting to note that under the Harford County Charter, the County Council can only add funding for the Board of Education by reducing funding in another area of my proposed county budget.  I would also note that citizens also have an opportunity to participate in this process as the County Council will hold public hearings during their review of my proposed county budget,” explained Glassman.
Glassman has been very busy in his first 60 days.  County Executive Glassman has already implemented a retirement incentive, and has started to use technology to provide better service and to “right-size” many departments, which results in “reducing expenses for tax payers”. However, the most significant cuts to be made according to Glassman are the “deferral and freezing of the county’s capital project program, which will include projects for the Board of Education, Department of Emergency Services, Health Department and Harford Community College,” said Glassman. While these are important projects, Glassman plans to readdress these issues when the county’s revenue picture improves.
Glassman has a 30 year record of service to Harford County. Even in his teen years, he serviced the community by volunteering at the Level Volunteer Fire Company. After graduating from Havre De Grace High School Glassman earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Washington College.
Glassman also wanted to thank North Harford for sending the chorus to perform at his inauguration ceremony in December. Glassman is an advocate of North Harford and was proud to say that his wife and son were both NHHS graduates. “Go Hawks!” Glassman added.