J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                     1805

detailed and itemized estimate of the amounts to be required for the
operation of such agency during the ensuing fiscal year, classified
in such form and containing such other information as the County
Commissioners shall require from time to time. Such estimate shall
be submitted under the oath of the official in charge of such agency
that such estimate and the matters and facts contained therein are
true and correct to the best of his knowledge, information and belief.
The term "county agency" shall include any office, department, board,
bureau, agency, or institution receiving any appropriation from
county funds, whether or not the officers thereof be elected or ap-
pointed or whether they be County or State officers. The Board of
County Commissioners shall also submit a detailed and itemized
estimate of the amounts for the operation of its office as well as for
other expenditures to be made at the direction of said Board.

467.    Same; preparation of proposed budget.

(a) Before [November] May 1st in each year, the County Com-
missioners shall prepare a proposed budget, containing the following
items:

468.    Same; hearing.

In each year the County Commissioners prior to the adoption of
the budget shall, after public notice, hold at least one public hearing
on the proposed budget. Public notice of the time and place of said
hearing shall be given by at least one week's notice in at least two
newspapers of general circulation in Harford County. From [Novem-
ber] May 1st until [December] June 1st in each year at least one
copy of such proposed budget shall be available for public inspection
at the office of the County Commissioners during all regular business
hours.

469.    Same; tax rate, listed activities.

(a) During the period from [November] May 1st to [December]
June 1st in each year, the County Commissioners of Harford County
are authorized and empowered to revise the proposed budget and any
part thereof by increasing, decreasing, eliminating or adding items
provided that there shall be no consolidation of items in such manner
as to reduce the detailed statement of the appropriations. They shall
further be authorized to revise the schedule of anticipated receipts
and estimated rates in such manner as they may deem necessary. No
later than [December] June 1st in each year, or on the first day there-
after, if [December] June 1st be a legal holiday, the County Com-
missioners of Harford County shall by a majority vote adopt the
final budget, schedule of anticipated receipts, fix the tax rates and
impose the levy for the ensuing fiscal year. Such levy together with
any surplus county funds and all other revenues from all other sources
as shown by the schedule of anticipated receipts, must be sufficient
to cover the total appropriations in the budget. The final budget,
schedule of anticipated receipts and levies so adopted shall be signed
by a majority of the County Commissioners, certified by their Clerk,
and at least one copy kept on record at the office of the County Com-
missioners, open to public inspection during regular business hours
throughout the fiscal year which it covers.