Harford County executive, sheriff at odds over money for a new precinct and training center
BALTIMORE - The Harford County Executive is in the hot seat again this week over the county's budget.
Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler is calling out new Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly.
His office posted on Facebook upset that plans for a new precinct building have been placed on hold, accusing the executive of defunding his agency.
"Our community needs this precinct and training center yesterday not tomorrow and whenever it's built it will cost more later," Sheriff Gahler said.
The plan is to renovate a county-owned building on Technology Drive near Aberdeen, making it a precinct and training center for new deputies.
The sheriff said the $22 million project was approved by the former county council and county executive and construction was set to start this year.
"This is not about raising taxes," Sheriff Gahler said. "I think we're going to hear that from the County Executive. 'Ah, you're going to make me raise taxes.' No, we're not. That money was already put into the budget on a capital project."
WJZ spoke with County Executive Cassilly.
"I came into this office four months ago," Cassilly said. "This was a project that was set up and I just put a hold on it while I get my stuff together and evaluate where we are financially."
This is the second time this month his budget has come under fire.
Last week, the Superintendent of Harford County Schools questioned a proposed $19 million cut to the school budget.
Cassilly said he is worried about raising taxes and said that it is a difficult budget year due to an uncertain economy.
He also said there are other projects that need to be funded in the budget, including hiring new EMS workers because the county is switching from volunteer EMS to paid EMS.
"What can we reasonably afford?" Cassilly said. "And, if we want to afford that then we're going to have to raise taxes quite, frankly, because we don't have the money left."
The sheriff said his next step is to meet with each member of the county council to see how they're feeling with moving forward with this building.
The county council will vote on the budget next month.
