About Billy

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 Boniface 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.

Through his strict oversight of the county’s finances during his leadership of the County Council, property tax rates were reduced three times, saving Harford taxpayers over $130 million. While cutting costs elsewhere, funding for the public school system increased by 29% per pupil, funding for the Sheriff’s Office increased by 34%, and nearly 4,000 additional acres of farmland were permanently preserved.

In 2014 Billy was appointed Harford County Director of Administration to oversee the budget and day-to-day operations of county government. In nearly six years as director, he successfully implemented the County Executive’s directives to reduce the county’s debt burden, right-size the county workforce, restore a depleted fund balance, fully-fund the public school system, and fully-fund pay increases for Sheriff’s Deputies.

In July 2020 he was appointed Chief Advisor to the County Executive to oversee key initiatives, including the public-private partnership to extend broadband internet in underserved areas, and the extension of the Ma & Pa Trail.

With over thirty years’ experience as a Partner and Division Manager in his family’s small business, Billy Boniface 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 and accountability 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 currently serves on the board of the Maryland Horse Foundation.

Locally, Billy has been involved in many community organizations and causes, including the Level Volunteer Fire Company, Dublin/Darlington Parks & Recreation Council, the Harford Land Trust, the Deer Creek Watershed Association, the Harford County Chamber of Commerce, the Harford Farm Bureau, and 4-H. Billy and his wife Barbara 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 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.

Now Billy is again answering the call to serve by running for County Executive in 2022 to Keep Harford County on Track.