Harford employees, who complained they couldn’t live on their government salaries, rejoiced when the county administration told them their 9 percent raises would be spared.

Human Resources Director Scott Gibson said he had been assured the raises wouldn’t be cut in the fiscal 2009 budget, drawing cheers from employees in the County Council chambers Tuesday night.

“I spoke to the County Council president, and he said there would be no vote changing the pay plan. Not tonight, or any other night,” Gibson said. “The pay package will remain as proposed.”

Billy Boniface, the council president, cautioned the next day that there was still another round of amendments possible, but neither he nor any other council members planned to cut the $9 million in the budget for raises.

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“This budget hasn’t been approved yet, and anything can happen until it’s voted on and approved,” Boniface said. He’d had reservations about the pay package, given worries about a declining economy.

“As an employer, I’m struggling to keep my employees’ health benefits, let alone give them a 10 percent raise,” said Boniface, who employs about 15 people at Bonita Farm in Darlington.

He and the council let the pay plan pass the first round unscathed because it was a top priority for County Executive David Craig. Other cuts made by the council — such as $18 million for purchasing new county property and an $82 million plan to consolidate county offices — should have provided enough space in the budget for the raise, Boniface said.

The employees applauded and shook hands with council members.

“It was the right thing to do,” said Lorraine Costello, Craig’s director of administration. “We’re blessed with really good people up here, and they deserve to be compensated fairly.”

Craig’s staff will spend the next few days balancing the changes made by the council.

msantoni@baltimoreexaminer.com