Development News for Bel Air, Maryland

Town Commissioners Address Sewer Rate Hikes and FY26 Budget Amendments

The Board of Town Commissioners received Ordinance 862-26, which amends Chapter 397 of the Belair Town Code pertaining to sewer service rates. The proposed ordinance includes a 7.4% increase above the standard CPI increase, bringing the total sewer rate and base charge increase to 10%. This adjustment is necessitated by a 50% increase in Harford County's bulk sewer user charge to the town between fiscal years 2022 and 2026, while the town's customer rates only increased by 21% during the same period. The usage rate will increase by 75 cents per thousand gallons, and the base charge for a residential customer with a 5/8 inch meter will increase from $3.47 to $3.82 per month. These new rates will be effective for the July 25th, 2026 billing. A public hearing is scheduled for June 22nd at 7 PM. Additionally, the Board received Resolution 1273-26, which amends the fiscal year 2026 budget. Significant adjustments include increases in public utilities revenue, grants for public safety (PACET, PR, CGPF), and miscellaneous income, offset by decreases in income tax and motor vehicle revenue. Notably, there is a large transfer from the capital reserve for the condo trash recycle purchase ($1,020,491). Expenditures also saw adjustments, including increases in town buildings, planning department costs, public safety (hydrant rental, police overtime, body cameras), public works shop, and streets. A significant increase in public works refuse is due to dumpsters and trucks for a project. The total net effect of these changes balances the budget, increasing both revenues and expenditures by $1,477,232. A check for $176,000 from Chesapeake Employers Insurance for a policyholder dividend was received but not yet reflected in the budget amendment, with plans to address it in a future amendment and potentially distribute it as employee bonuses. A public hearing for the budget amendment is scheduled for June 22nd at 7 PM. The Board also received Resolution 1274-26, amending the town's fee schedule. Two changes were proposed: a new landscape review fee of $450, with the town billing for all expenses exceeding this amount, and a 4.5% increase in the town's sewer system development fee, passed through to Harford County. A public hearing for the fee schedule is also scheduled for June 22nd.