The town’s $23.4 million draft budget for fiscal 2024 is available for public viewing online.
The current tax rates of $.54 per $100 of valuation for real property and $1.20 for personal property are expected to remain the same when the next fiscal year begins July 1.
Sewer rates, which are currently $6.48 per 1,000 gallons, are expected to increase by 8%, or $.52, as the Consumer Price Index has increased as of December 2022.
The town’s proposed budget includes an $18.4 million general fund, a $3.9 million sewer fund, a parking fund of more than $594,000 and a special revenue fund of more than $459,000.
The town commissioners will review the budget during work sessions through April and early May. The next session is scheduled for Wednesday, April 19 at 4:30 p.m. in the Bel Air Armory. The public is welcome to attend all work sessions.
There will be an opportunity for public input on the proposed general fund budget during a hearing scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 17. People also can call the Finance Department at 410-638-4555 to provide input.
Next year’s budget will be finalized upon adoption by the town commissioners; that vote is expected to happen when the commissioners meet May 15. The public can comment on the budget on that date too, ahead of the commissioners’ vote.
Please follow the Town of Bel Air's social media pages on Facebook and Twitter for updates as the budget process continues.
Fiscal 2024 Budget Schedule (Tentative):
-April 3-Draft budget presented to Board of Town Commissioners
-April 11-Work session, 4 p.m. at McFaul Activity Center
-April 13-Work session, 4 p.m. at Bel Air Armory
-April 17-Public hearing during Town Commissioners’ meeting, 5:30 p.m.
-April 19-Work session, 4:30 p.m.
-April 25-Work session, 4 p.m.
-May 4-Work session, 4 p.m.
-May 9-Work session, 4 p.m.
-May 15-Public hearing, Town Commissioners vote on adoption of budget
Contact Media and Public Relations Specialist David Anderson at 410-688-3020 or danderson@belairmd.org.