April 2025 Newsletter

Margery,

County Executive Ball's Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Capital Budget was released earlier this month! The FY26 Capital Budget includes $367 million in investments for our community across education, community facilities, public safety, infrastructure, flood mitigation, transportation, technology, and recreation.

The proposal continues the County’s strong support of the Howard County Public School System by fully funding the Board of Education’s capital request for the fourth year in a row, including major renovations to Oakland Mills Middle School, systemic upgrades across the school system, and investments in school safety, and playgrounds. It also supports the Howard Community College Workforce and Trades Center and the planning of a new Central Branch Library. The plan allocates funding for the new Elkridge Community Center and continued progress on the Center for Arts, Culture, and History in Ellicott City.

Transportation projects in the proposed budget include $13.8 million for pedestrian, bicycle, and Complete Streets infrastructure, as well as road resurfacing, sidewalk improvements near schools, and support for the FLASH Bus extension. Finally, the FY26 proposal includes nearly $14 million for upgrades to parks and historic sites across the County, including trail improvements, pickleball courts, and planning for public gardens at the Longwood property.

As the Council reviews the budget, there will be numerous opportunities for public testimony. Below is a list of the dates and times of public hearings. If you are unable to attend, testimony can be emailed to councilmail@howardcountymd.gov.

Monday, April 21st, 6:00 PM
County Executive's Budget Presentation to the County Council
Wednesday, April 23rd, 6:00 PM
Public Hearing - Capital Budget
Wednesday, April 30th, 6:00 PM
Public Hearing - Operating Budget
Thursday, May 8th, 9:30 AM
Public Hearing, Capital and Operating Budget
Monday, May 12th, 7:00 PM
Public Hearing, Operating Budget

See a full calendar of Council meetings on the County Council website. The full Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Capital Budget and Operating Budget, once released, can be accessed online on the Howard County Government website.

Yours in service,

Christiana Rigby (she/her)

Councilwoman, District 3

April 18, 2025

March Legislation Wrap-Up

On April 7th, the County Council convened for our April Legislative Session. The Council voted on several pieces of legislation, including the following:

CB14-2025: An act providing that certain federal employees and contractors who meet the minimum qualifications for a position in the classified service may be placed on an eligibility list; generally relating to filling positions in the classified service; providing for the application of this Act; and declaring that this Act is an Emergency Bill necessary to meet an emergency affecting the public health, safety, or welfare. This bill passed, as amended, in a 4-1 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

CB16-2025: An act amending the Howard County Code to establish a centralized webpage for all annual reports, studies, publications, or other documents required to be submitted to the County Council and generally related to reports to the County Council. This bill passed, as amended, in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by the Councilmember Liz Walsh.

CB17-2025: An act reestablishing a tax credit exclusively for geothermal energy devices; allowing the credit to be granted only for applications related to geothermal devices filed on or before a certain date; and generally relating to the tax credit exclusively for geothermal energy devices. This bill passed in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by Councilwoman Christiana Rigby.

CB18-2025: An act amending the definition of “Moderate income housing units”, establishing and retaining the School Surcharge rate at time of submittal of sketch plan; providing for a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for Disability Income Housing Units within a Transit Oriented Development (TOD); and exempting Transit Oriented Development (TOD) residential units from the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance School Capacity Test and generally relating to Transit Oriented Developments. This bill was tabled in a 4-1 vote. Introduced by Councilwoman Christiana Rigby.

April Legislation

On April 7th, the County Council convened for our April Legislative Session. Several new pieces of legislation were introduced, including the following:

CB22-2025: An act adopting a new flag description for Howard County, Maryland; setting out the design of the flag and the colors displayed therein. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

CB24-2025: An act adopting the International Building Code, 2024, the International Residential Code, 2024, the International Mechanical Code, 2024, the International Energy Conservation Code, 2024, and the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2024 Edition; providing that such codes collectively comprise the Howard County Building Code; regulating the design, construction, alteration, improvement, or modification of a building, structure, or other related equipment; adopting certain local amendments to the Building Code; adopting penalties for the violation of the Building Code; making certain technical corrections; and generally relating to the regulation of building and construction in Howard County. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

CB27-2025: An act amending the Howard County Code to require that the evaluation of Protection of Wetlands, Streams, & Steep Slopes waivers and Forest Conservation variances be subject to the provisions of the Maryland Open Meetings Act; and generally relating to waivers and variances. Introduced by Councilmember Liz Walsh.

CB28-2025: An act amending the Howard County Code to require that the Code required fiscal analysis for each piece of legislation is now submitted and processed by the County Council Administrator; and generally relating to legislative fiscal analyses. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Council.

CB29-2025: An act repealing a certain waiver exception granted by the Department of Public Works for development proposals in the Tiber Branch Watershed; and generally relating to subdivision and land development regulations waivers. Introduced by Councilmember Liz Walsh.

CB30-2025: An act amending the Howard County Code to add certain requirements to the membership qualifications for the Howard County Human Rights Commission; and generally related to membership. Introduced by Councilmember Liz Walsh.

CB31-2025: An act amending the membership qualifications for the Inspector General Advisory Board to correct a technical error; and generally related to qualifications. Introduced by Councilmember Deb Jung.

Residents can offer testimony on the legislation at the upcoming Public Hearing on Monday, April 21st at 7:00 PM. This legislation will be up for a vote on Monday, May 5th at 7:00 PM.

VIEW COUNCIL LEGISLATION

TESTIFY AT A PUBLIC HEARING

VIEW COUNCIL CALENDAR

Community News, Events, and Updates

Donations Needed - Howard County Food Bank!

The Howard County Food Bank at Community Action Council of Howard County needs your help to continue supporting residents! As a result of the Trump Administration's policies and executive orders, the Food Bank is seeing both an increased demand for service and decrease supply of food.

You can help by donating much-needed food and essential supplies including rice, pasta, soup, tuna, diapers, feminine hygiene products, cereal, and more. All items can be dropped off at the Howard County Food Bank.

Together, we can support our neighbors! Learn more at the Community Action Council Website.

CEI Farm Stand Opening

The Community Ecology Institute's Farm Stand is opening on Saturday, April 19th! The Farm Stand will be open every Saturday (excluding July 5th and August 30th) from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Each year, CEI opens their farm stand to the public during the growing season to share plants and produce grown right at Freetown Farm. Starting in mid-April, they begin a community plant sale, which features vegetable, herb, and flower seedlings for your garden. They also feature a selection of edible perennials and native plants that support our area’s ecosystem. Beginning in June or July, they will have a mix of fresh produce available for purchase.

Learn more by visiting the Community Ecology Institute's website.

Change in Columbia Speaker Series

Join Columbia Association on Wednesday, April 23rd, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Stonehouse (6110 Foreland Garth, Columbia, MD) or virtually via Zoom for an evening of thought-provoking conversations, interactive networking, and an incredible panel of local arts leaders.

Art has the power to break down barriers, spark meaningful dialogue, and unite diverse communities. Participate to explore how creativity shapes Columbia’s future and how you can take part in this transformation.

Free childcare is available with pre-registration. Light refreshments will be served.

Kings Contrivance Area Road Improvements

As the County prepares to resurface Columbia's Eden Brook Drive, Old Columbia Road, and Guilford Road this year, the Office of Transportation will be hosting a public meeting on Thursday, May 1st from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at 7125 Riverwood Drive in Columbia, to present possible new marking and signage changes for these roadways to improve safety and accommodations for all road users.

While there will be no formal presentation, Transportation staff will be on hand to discuss the proposed improvements, answer questions, and gather public comments.

Those unable to attend the public meeting will be able to view the meeting materials online on the project website immediately following the event. From this same site, residents will also have the opportunity to complete a survey to share their feedback about the projects with Transportation. The survey link will be available through Friday, May 16th.

Artisan Fair

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia is hosting their first Artisan Fair on Sunday, May 4th at 11:30 AM at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center!

The Fair will feature ceramics, fiber art, paintings, jewelry, and more. And remember, vendors will only accept cash, so please come prepared.

Learn more about the Artisan Fair on the UUCC website.

Mount Hebron Period Club

The Period Club of Mount Hebron High School is a determined group of girls striving to fight menstrual inequality in Howard County, Maryland, and beyond. Currently, the club has created coalitions with fellow menstrual clubs from Howard, Marriotts Ridge, Centennial, and Long Reach and together, the clubs testified at the County Executive's March Budget Hearing for a pilot program that will allow free menstrual products to be available in public buildings in Howard County. The club uses their power as constituents to testify, advocate, and raise funds for their proposed program. By hosting bake sales, applying for grants, and competing at competitions, the Mount Hebron High School Period Club has been able to raise $2,500 towards their proposed program. The MHHS Period Club and the many other period clubs around the county strive to fight for menstrual equality wherever they go.

Read below to learn more about the Club from founder and president, Isha!

I started the club because of lack of accessibility. I remember walking into a restroom, being on my period, and having to pay 25 cents for a necessity. I ended up using toilet paper because I didn’t have a coin on me and it was at this moment that I knew something needed to be done. I started the club with a couple of my friends and by making continuous efforts to fundraiser, testify, and advocate, we were able to spread the word about our cause drawing in other clubs across the county. I was able to reach out to other presidents through mutual connections or a simple DM on Instagram. Truly a text message was enough to find a group that cared as deeply as I did about a topic. Running the club has been a dream. Not only do I get to work on something that I am passionate about, but I also get to share this passion with my friends, making the process even more enjoyable. If anyone wants to start a club or advocate for what they believe in, I recommend taking the leap because once you set your heart on something, there is no stopping you!

The Leola Dorsey Community Resource Center Sidewalk Extension

The Department of Public Works is beginning a project to install sidewalk along the south side of Guilford Road between Stayton Drive and The Leola Dorsey Community Resource Center at 10390 Guilford Road in Jessup. Weather permitting, the project is anticipated to be completed by early May 2025.

The project is part of Howard County’s WalkHoward plan to connect existing sidewalks in the County. Signs will be posted in the project area to alert pedestrians and motorists of the construction, set to take place Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, as the curb lane in the project area and sidewalk between the Resource Center and US 1 will be closed during construction hours.

While the County and transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, drivers are reminded to stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Please slow down and don’t follow too closely when traveling through a work zone. Remember, work zone safety is in your hands.

For more information about Capital Project K-5036, contact Public Works Customer Service at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov.

More information about the project can be found by visiting the Howard County Pedestrian Master Plan website.

Christiana's Climate Corner

Welcome to Christiana's Climate Corner, where I will be sharing updates on environmental and sustainability efforts in Howard County, including information on legislation, events, and opportunities for you to support sustainability efforts in our community!

Building Code Update & Electrification

The long-awaited building code update is here! County Executive Ball and the Administration introduced legislation, CB24-2025, to adopt the most recent International Building Code. Along with many advocates, we have been anticipating this bill for some time, especially following the passage of my Clean New Buildings Act (CB5-2023) and the County Administration’s Building Code Considerations for Comprehensive Building Decarbonization report from April 2024.

As we evaluate this update and consider opportunities to make progress on the County’s Climate Action and Resiliency Plan and HoCo By Design, there are many factors we must consider. Many jurisdictions are facing legal challenges as a result of building electrification legislation. It's clear that there is value in exploring alternatives that achieve similar energy goals but also allow for choice.

A new approach is gaining support - debiasing. Rather than mandating that all new buildings be all-electric, debiasing seeks to remove subsidies and code provisions that advantage fossil fuel infrastructure, allowing electric technologies to be considered on equal footing. This approach supports performance-based, cost-effective solutions without mandating a particular energy source. Debiasing has gained traction in other jurisdictions as a legally resilient and economically pragmatic strategy to advance building decarbonization.

By adopting a performance-based standard that includes debiasing, we can reduce emissions, lower energy costs for residents, and improve air quality, especially in new residential and commercial construction. As jurisdictions like Howard County look to the future, debiasing will help us build a more sustainable, resilient community. Innovative solutions such as this one can move us toward a cleaner and greener future.

You can find out more about debiasing by visiting the Rocky Mountain Institute’s website. If you would like to share your feedback on the building code with Councilmembers, please email councilmail@howardcountymd.gov or sign up to testify at the April Legislative Public Hearing on April 21st at 7:00 PM.

Get Involved!

There are many opportunities to volunteer and serve in your community. Read below for upcoming and ongoing volunteer opportunities.

Carroll Baldwin Hall Work Nights

Carroll Baldwin Hall hosts monthly Volunteer Work Nights every third Thursday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. There are always tons of projects for volunteers with all skills and abilities to work on - cleaning, painting, and more. They also provide food and the opportunity to meet or catch up with your neighbors in Savage.

Battle of the Books

Help Howard County Library System and the Howard County Public School System host a great Battle of the Books! This year, Battle of the Books will be held on Friday, April 25th at Merriweather Post Pavilion. In order for the event to run smoothly, please consider volunteering. High school students can receive service hours by registering for the same shift with a supervising adult.

Interested volunteers can sign up online using Sign Up Genius.

Details about parking, pizza and more, will be sent via email before the event. Please contact winifred.lafrancechambers@hclibrary.org with any questions.

Simulated Congressional Hearings

Volunteer as a judge for Simulated Congressional Hearings! The Simulated Congressional Hearing (SCH) is the culminating activity for fifth grade social studies. Throughout the year, students study four units of instruction: The U.S. Constitution, Our Changing Nation, Defending Freedom and We the People. The SCH is an authentic, performance-based assessment where students demonstrate their understanding of the founding of the U.S. Constitution and the impact of its creation. During the SCH, students present as experts on topics they have been learning about throughout the year. Judges are responsible for asking follow-up questions based on the student's presentations. Judges do not need to be constitutional scholars! Training is provided the morning of the event. Register online using this Google Form.

Howard County Boards and Commissions

The County is seeking members to serve on numerous Boards and Commissions. Below is a list of current openings:

Cemetery Preservation Advisory Board – seeks up to three adult applicants who represent or work in the development-building industry, religious, or special interest in historic preservation or genealogy to review newly discovered cemeteries for County adoption and advise on historic cemetery resources. Two applicants may live outside Howard County.
Historic Preservation Commission – seeks two adult applicants who live or own property in the Lawyers Hill Historic District or who have architectural experience or professional experience in the architectural field to review applications for alterations to historic structures, provide advice on historical resources and review applications for historic tax credits.
La Alianza Latina Commission – seeks four adult commissioners and one college/trade school commissioner to promote diversity, civility and address the concerns of Latino and immigrant communities.
Planning Board – seeks one applicant who resides in Councilmanic District 5 and the Rural Conservation District or the Rural Residential District and has an interest in planning and zoning.