Here is a letter from a concerned citizen of Harford County summing up the events since our movement began:
May has been an interesting month in Harford County.
The County Council rejected the budget proposed by the County Executive, reduced property taxes, and discussed a reduction in the property tax assessment cap.
In addition, the Governor signed a bill into law establishing a mostly elected School Board for the County.
All are individually significant. Collectively they are momentous.
The budget proposed by the County Executive, although reduced from previous years, was reduced again, for good reason, by the County Council. Not only was a reduced budget returned to the County Executive, but the property tax rate, on both real and commercial property, to support it was reduced as well. The reduction of 2 cents per hundred dollars of assessed values provides tax relief to taxpayers, and forces more efficiencies and economies in government operations. Placing the burden of the budget on County employees and taxpayers , while seemingly easy, will no longer be the tool to resolve budget issues. Hopefully the County Executive realizes this .
The reduction in the property tax assessment cap from, 9% to 5%, as discussed would be effective in 2011. It appears that the County Executive has signed on to this as well. As his Internet web site claims, he worked with the County Council in the past year to effect this change. It is unlikely however, that he was a full participant. Had he been, he would not have presented the 2010 budge that he did, knowing full well that his principal revenue source will be severely reduced, and that more meaningful reductions will be required in 2011. A full participant would have constructed a 2010 budget to accommodate reduced property tax revenue in 2011.
Contrary to published accounts, the savings in the reduction of the property tax assessment cap, from 9% to 5%, are not trivial. A 9% cap, will cause property taxes to double in 8 years, while a 5% cap will cause property taxes to increase by only 47%. A 5% cap will cause property taxes to double in about 15 years. In this same 15 years, a 9% cap will cause property taxes to increase more than 3.5 times, almost 4 times as much. Quite a difference for any individual or couple starting out or seeking to retire in Harford County.
At the budget hearings, Harford County residents conveyed a message of protest to the County Council on the proposed increase in property taxes required by the 2010 budget. Some invoked political party affiliation, some invoked words from the founders of this great nation, others questioned the employment prospects and the supervisory hierarchy of individual Council members, and the Council as a whole. All speakers were passionate. I have to admit that I was there, too, and was caught up in the process. Throughout these meetings, each member of the Council and the Council as a whole, showed uncommon restraint and civility, to those who offered support, and equally to those who were opposed to their actions. The character of the Council will be judged, not only by the end result, but also by the civility they extended.
The message of the Council on the budget, coupled with the Governor’s signing of the bill to establish an elected school board have an even greater significance to County residents. The message is clear, Harford County government has been returned to its residents. The process of governing is no longer the exclusive domain of the County Executive. The School Board will, now, also answer to the residents of Harford County. Residents of Harford County have been given the opportunity, no, the obligation to participate in the process of government to establish a better future tomorrow. Invoking slogans, political party affiliations, or commenting on employability will no longer work. Just like the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States which begins with “We the people”, Harford County government now starts with we the people.
Finally, by their actions the County Council provided a view of the measure of the person. The measure of the Council members will be taken, not by the level of education they achieved, nor the career path chosen, nor any other outward appearance. It will be taken by their credibility, integrity and loyalty. They have set new standards for measurement. Indeed, a very high standard to strive for, as we the people start down the road to the future.
