COUNTY EXECUTIVE ANNOUNCES COMMISSION TO STUDY EFFICIENCY IN GOVERNMENT
Harford County Executive David R. Craig today announced the formation of a Commission to Study Efficiency and Economy in Government for Harford County. The Commission was established in response to the fiscal crisis of the State of Maryland. County Executive Craig formed the Commission pursuant to Article IV, Section 412 of the Harford County Charter, and has charged them to make recommendations as to how county government can be reformed to be more efficient and save taxpayers money. The Commission will review current operations of Harford County Government, identify opportunities for improvement and suggest ways to maximize resources. In carrying out their mission, the Commission will carefully study all aspects of county government and offer recommendations as to how government can better deliver services without increasing cost.
"The charge to the Commission is quite simple, stated County Executive Craig. Business as usual must end. We must all work together to find ways to make Harford County government more cost effective and efficient given the fiscal condition of the State."
January 2007COUNTY EXECUTIVE CRAIG ANNOUNCES SUPPLEMENTAL HOMEOWNERS TAX CREDIT PROGRAM
Harford County Executive David R. Craig stood before the McFaul Senior and Youth Center on MacPhail Road today and announced that he will be submitting a bill to the Harford County Council that will supplement the State of Maryland Homeowner Tax Credit Program for Harford County residents. Each Councilperson and the Executive have publicly acknowledged throughout the fall election campaign season that more tax relief was needed for some families and individual, especially our senior citizens, in light of recent state property assessments.
"With the advice, counsel, and cooperation of my colleagues on the County Council the draft legislation I am submitting to enhance the State Property Tax Credit Program for Harford County citizens is the result of pledge made to recognize that for many property assessments are outpacing incomes to pay the tax on those assessments," Craig explained to a group of citizens and officials who were gathered at the Center.
November 2006CRAIG'S FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT POLICIES, STAFF CREDITED FOR CAPTURING PRESTIGIOUS BUDGET AWARD
County Executive David Craig's strong conservative financial management policies provided a winning foundation for the county to receive a prestigious Budget Presentation Award from an American/Canadian financial group. The Government Finance Officers Foundation of the United State and Canada presented the award after the county's current fiscal year budget - the Craig Administration's first-ever county spending package - received outstanding marks from a panel of financial analysts on how well the entity's budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and communications device.
The GFOA is a non-profit professional association serving 16,000 government finance professionals throughout North America. The association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national honors program.
"This award from the GFOA to Harford County publicly validates the commitment and dedication of the Budget and Management Research Division that I often speak of when addressing citizens and organizations," Craig said. "I am very proud of the work of our Budget Chief Kim Spence and her budget analysts."
January 2006HARFORD, BALTIMORE, CECIL COUNTY LEADERS ANNOUNCE BRAC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
Harford County Executive David R. Craig today joined Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith and Cecil County Commission Chair Nelson K. Bolender, BPAC Chair Tom Sadowski and Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development Director of Federal Facilities and Military Affairs Brig. General J. Michael Hayes, USMC (Ret.), to introduce a joint initiative to market the region to military operations and contractors moving to Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. The unprecedented partnership maximizes economic development potential and utilizes shared resources to best promote the region's prime location, technical talent, proximity to premier research institutions, and affordable quality of life.
"We know that our best approach should be a consolidated one. Baltimore, Cecil, and Harford Counties must work in concert with each other since as a region we appeal to a variety of life styles - from urban to suburban to rural," County Executive David R. Craig said.
July 2005DAVID CRAIG SWORN IN AS HARFORD'S 6TH COUNTY EXECUTIVE
A career educator, who has served Harford County in a variety of elected positions over the last 25 years, has been sworn in as Harford County Executive in a ceremony this afternoon in the historic Harford County Courthouse in Bel Air. David R. Craig himself made history when he was elected by the Harford County Council this week to serve the remainder ofJames M. Harkins' term; a term that will expire in December, 2006.
"While I was not elected by the voters of Harford County I will work diligently and faithfully to build on the trust of the County Council, the people's elected representatives," said the new County Executive. Members of the Council who supported David Craig said Tuesday they wanted a County Executive who was ready to take the oath of office and hit the road running. In his remarks following his swearing in today, Mr. Craig did just that when he told the packed courtroom that he will immediately order a hiring freeze in County Government and a 10 percent cut in County spending.
