2022 Voter Guide: Billy Boniface, candidate for Harford County Executive

Why are you running for office?

I am running for County Executive because I care deeply about Harford County and want it to be a shining example of a county with low taxes, pristine landscapes, thriving small businesses, great schools, and safe communities. I am not running for County Executive as a stepping-stone to another office or to build my resume. I have a record of results during my time as Council President and as the county’s administrator, and I know that under my experienced conservative leadership that Harford County will continue to be the best county in Maryland.

What do you see as the most pressing issue the county faces and how would you address it?

The most pressing issue is that we maintain and enhance the high quality of life for our county’s residents. During my time as Council President and later the county’s administrator, we cut property taxes four times, saving taxpayers $130 million. We implemented efficiency measures and reprioritized public safety and education. We doubled funding for law enforcement personnel and fully-funded the school system’s budget. We surpassed 60,000 acres of permanently preserved land. But given those successes, it’s not surprising that many people are looking to move their families or businesses to Harford County. Moving forward, we must accelerate our efforts to manage growth by preserving farmland, forest, and open space. We must continue to prioritize law enforcement and public safety. We must ensure that there is accountability in our school system. And we must continue to implement the conservative policies and budgets that have put the county on this successful path.

What plans do you have to help the county and its businesses successfully emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic?

County government has distributed over $26 million dollars in the form of Business Relief Grants directly to local businesses to help keep them afloat during the pandemic. We also relaxed as many regulations as we could pertaining to things like outdoor seating for restaurants in an effort to help businesses “think outside the box.” We take pride in the fact that Harford County Government did not close for a single day due to the pandemic, as our dedicated county workforce continued to report for work and provide the services that our citizens and businesses expect and deserve. As County Executive I will continue to prioritize our existing businesses and ensure that the county is an active partner in their ongoing success.

What would be your priorities for future growth and development in the county?

There must be a balance between growth and preservation to ensure that our county is economically strong while retaining our open space, environmental resources, and rural character. As County Executive, land preservation will continue to be one of my top priorities. There are 60,000 acres of farmland permanently preserved in Harford County so far, and I will set a goal for us to reach 75,000 acres within the next 10 years through additional incentives to encourage more landowners to preserve their land. When new development or redevelopment occurs, we must ensure that there are no adverse impacts to the community, or that any potential impacts are mitigated. Development should occur within designated growth areas, and the county should continue to work in a timely and business-friendly manner to provide the required reviews, inspections, and approvals if all regulations are met.

What degree of oversight should the County Council have over the health commissioner?

The law designates the Harford County Council as the Board of Health, and as such they are responsible for selecting, hiring, and (if necessary) recommending the termination of the county’s health officer. I have no plans to advocate changing that. It’s imperative that the county’s health officer be someone who is an effective administrator and who understands the unique needs and expectations of our county’s residents.

What steps should the county government take to address opioid overdoses and deaths?

We need to continue to support organizations like the Klein Family Crisis Center and Addiction Connections Resource, as well as the county’s mobile crisis team in order to have a multi-pronged approach to dealing with opioid abuse. We also need to ramp-up training of Peer Recovery Specialists to work directly with individuals with substance use issues, to help coordinate treatment resources, and to facilitate support groups.

What role can the county government play to improve education in county schools?

County government’s role is to provide the school system with the resources it needs to ensure that all students have the opportunity to be successful, and to ensure that we are able to attract and retain the best educators and support staff. During my six years as the county’s chief budget officer, we increased funding for instructional salaries by over $6 million per year (30%). We fully-funded the Board of Education’s budget request. And since I was elected as Council President, we have built seven new school buildings and undertook 24 major school renovations. As County Executive I will continue to provide the resources our students and educators need and will continue the program of renovating or replacing obsolete school facilities. I will also work to ensure that there is accountability in our education system by advocating for a fully-elected Board of Ed like 19 other Maryland counties have.

What efforts do the county schools need to make to address systemic racism in education and society?

It is my belief that every student should have an equal opportunity to learn, achieve, and be successful, and it is the Board of Education’s responsibility to ensure that their policies and programs reflect this. As County Executive I will ensure that county government provides the resources and facilities necessary for all students in Harford County to have the opportunity to achieve success.

What steps must the county take to improve public safety?

I am proud of my record of doubling funding for law enforcement personnel and supporting Sheriff Jeff Gahler’s initiatives that have reduced crime in Harford to the lowest levels ever recorded. We also nearly tripled funding for volunteer fire companies and EMS, and oversaw the county’s development of its EMS division to supplement our volunteers and the EMS Foundation to meet the growing demand for service. I will continue my strong record of prioritizing law enforcement and public safety and of supporting our Sheriff’s deputies, corrections officers, and first responders as County Executive.

How is climate change impacting the county and what can be done locally to address the effects?

I’m certainly not an expert on climate. But as a farmer whose family was one of the first in Harford County to permanently preserve our farm, I do appreciate the importance of healthy land and clean water. I am proud of my record of being a strong supporter of programs and organizations that preserve farmland, forest, and open space for future generations, as well as efforts to control stormwater and soil erosion. As County Executive I plan to put us on a path toward reaching 75,000 acres of permanently preserved land within 10 years, and to provide the Dept. of Public Works and the county’s Soil Conservation District with the tools and resources they need to adequately address runoff, erosion, and stormwater management.