Billy Boniface to Run for Harford County Executive: “Keeping Harford County on Track”
April 6, 2021
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Harford County is a special place. It’s a place where hard work is respected, where service to the community is valued, where the beauty of the land is cherished, and where one’s family always comes first. Few people understand and appreciate that as much as Billy Boniface.
Wanting to further serve his community, Billy was twice elected countywide as President of the Harford County Council. As a first-time candidate in 2006, he won the most votes in a contested race for local office in Harford County history to that point and ran unopposed for re-election in 2010. During his time as Council President, funding for Harford’s school system increased by 29% per student. In addition, significant capital funding was allocated for new schools, libraries, and activity centers, and nearly 4,000 acres of farmland were permanently preserved. Through his strict oversight of the county’s budget during his leadership of the County Council, property taxes were reduced three times, saving Harford taxpayers $107 million.
In 2014 Billy was appointed Director of Administration to oversee the budget and day-to-day operations of county government. In nearly six years as Director, he successfully carried out the County Executive’s directive to reduce the county’s debt burden, right-size the county workforce, restore a depleted fund balance, and fully-fund the public school system. In July 2020 he was appointed Chief Advisor to the County Executive.
Billy lives with his wife of 36 years Barbara on the family’s Bonita Farm in Darlington, where they raised their three children – Bill, Benjamin, and Bethany.
With over thirty years of experience as a Partner and Division Manager in his family’s small business, Billy understands the sacrifices made by business owners and the expectation that local government should be efficient, accountable, and supportive of our existing businesses. As a father, he understands the demands of parents for excellence in our school system and the availability of quality community amenities.
Billy first learned the importance of a strong work ethic at the family’s original Bonita Farm outside of Bel Air, which was later relocated to Darlington where it remains today. He is known around the state of Maryland, having served as President of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association and having been appointed by the Governor to serve on the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation and the Maryland Young Farmers Advisory Board. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Maryland Association of Counties.
Locally Billy has been, and remains, involved in many community organizations and causes, including the Level Volunteer Fire Company, Darlington Parks & Rec, the Harford Land Trust, the Deer Creek Watershed Association, the Harford County Chamber of Commerce, the Harford Farm Bureau, and 4-H. Billy and Barb founded and administer the Ben Boniface Memorial Fund which promotes active participation in outdoor activities and an appreciation of the scenic beauty in the Deer Creek Valley and elsewhere in Harford County.
Billy is again answering the call to serve by running for County Executive in 2022 to keep Harford County on track. Learn more here!
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