Bel Air Approves Mid-Year Budget Adjustments

Bel Air officials are expected to make a final decision on the mid-year fiscal year 2013 budget during tonight's town meeting.

The mid-year budget resolution includes adding nearly $45,000 to to the fiscal year 2013 budget. You can find a full copy of the amended budget here.

Tonight's public meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Bel Air Town Hall, 39 N. Hickory Avenue in Bel Air.

Find live updates below:

8:13 p.m.: The meeting is adjourned.

8:11 p.m.: Burdette said she attended the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company banquet and was impressed with the dedication of the volunteers.

8:10 p.m.: Hopkins also thanked everyone on the board and town staff for their efforts on the Maryland Municipal League.

8:08 p.m.: Hopkins said he was pleased with the way St. Patrick’s Day weekend went and encouraged businesses to raise awareness about walkers during the weekend.

8:04 p.m.: Phil Einhorn thanked the town for their work on making the signal at Boulton Street happen and asked when that would be operational. Director of public works, Randy Richardson, said it should be operational by the middle of April.

8:03 p.m.: All vote in favor of the resolution amendment.

8:02 p.m.: Harford County is instituting a fee for online tax sale auctions of properties. The fee for this is $10. The town will thus increase the fees to $25 and $30 as a result.

8:02 p.m.: Carey moves to approve for introduction a resolution amending the town’s fee schedule.

8:01 p.m.: All vote in favor and the motion carries.

8:00 p.m.: Burdette said she had the chance to see the changes and she believes this new layout is much more flexible.

7:59 p.m.: Reier said the changes to the dispatch should reduce risk for employees.

7:58 p.m.: The consoles are capable of reconfiguration so if the police department decides to move the dispatch center in the future, these units can be moved. Staff recommends the approval of the bid.

7:57 p.m.: Evans Consoles said they would honor their 2012 bid through April 1, 2013.

7:56 p.m.: “They like coming to work now in the clean, fresh environment,” police chief, Leo Matrangola, said of the updates to the dispatch center.

7:55 p.m.: Commissioner Susan Burdette moves to approve the bid from Evans Consoles for $15,770 for additional consoles in the Bel Air Police dispatch room.

7:54 p.m.: Carey moves to approve the mid-year budget. All vote in favor and the mid-year budget is approved.

7:54 p.m.: The hearing is closed.

7:49 p.m.: Commissioner Robert Reier asks for comment from the public. There are none.

7:48 p.m.: There was also an increase of $30,000 on the expenditure side of the red light camera line item. A reduction in salaries of $45,000 is due to not filling a position.

7:46 p.m.: On the expenditure side, $15,770 to finish the police department communication upgrades is included. There is also a decrease of $72,000 decrease due to turnover and fewer workers compensation requests.

7:45 p.m.: Among the changes are money from FEMA for Hurricane Sandy expenses, an increase in red light camera revenue due to the number of tickets issued. This reflects an increase in revenue by $44,782.

7:43 p.m.: Town Finance Director Lisa Moody said the mid-year budget adjustments increase the town general fund budget by a little less than $45,000.

7:43 p.m.: A public hearing on the mid-year budget.

7:43 p.m.: The meetings from the previous town meeting are approved.

7:39 p.m.: Edward Hopkins, who is sporting an eye patch in the wake of surgery, is recognized by the Maryland Municipal League.

7:31 p.m.: The foundation has made a series of donations to projects in town. Cox and Young chair the foundation’s board.

7:30 p.m.: “We’re recognizing tonight the Greater Bel Air Community Foundation,” Carey said.

7:29 p.m.: Commissioner David Carey asks Don Young and Bill Cox to come up to the podium for recognition.