August 2025 Newsletter

Greetings!

Welcome back to school! To all of our educators, administrators, staff, students, and families, I hope you had a wonderful and relaxing summer. As we prepare for the 2025-2026 school year starting on Monday, August 25th, I wanted to share important information.

A new school year brings new holidays, new days off, and new events to keep track off! Check out the HCPSS Calendar for the 2025-2026 School Year to stay up to date.

Bus transportation was expanded for the upcoming school year. If you are unsure of your student's transportation options for the year, please view the 2025-2026 Attendance Area Locator. In addition, the new maximum distances that students may walk to school are:

Prekindergarten through Grade 5: 0.75 miles
Grades 6–8: 1.0 mile
Grades 9–12: 1.5 miles

As a reminder, families can apply for Free and Reduced Meals (FARMs) online and must do so every year. During the first 30 school days, students with free and reduced-price meal eligibility from the prior school year will be carried over. FARMs also provides discounts for summer programs, SAT, recreation programs, CHIP, and internet programs.

As always, please don't hesitate to contact my office if you are experiencing any issues in your community or would just like to get in touch. We are here to help with your concerns and listen to your feedback.

Wishing you a safe and happy September!

Yours in service,

Christiana Rigby (she/her)

Councilwoman, District 3

August 22, 2025

July Legislation Wrap-Up

On July 30th, the County Council convened for our Special Legislative Session. The Council voted on several pieces of legislation, including the following:

CB54-2025: An act amends the Howard County Code to amend the definition of new construction as it relates to the building excise tax; and generally relating to the building excise tax. This bill passed in a 3-1 vote. Introduced by Councilwoman Christiana Rigby.

CB55-2025: amending the Howard County Zoning Regulations to allow Age Restricted Adult Housing as a permitted use in the Planned Employment Center (PEC) zoning district, with additional requirements; amending the Moderate-Income Housing Unit (MIHU) requirements for Age-Restricted Units in the R-SI, POR, CCT, CEF and PSC zoning districts to require at least 5% Low-Income Housing Units (LIHU) or Disability Income Housing Units (DIHU); and generally related to MIHUs. This bill passed, as amended, in a 3-1 vote. Introduced by Councilmember Liz Walsh.

August Legislation

The County Council is on recess during the month of August. Legislation for the month of September will be pre-filed on Thursday, August 21st for introduction in September.

VIEW COUNCIL LEGISLATION

TESTIFY AT A PUBLIC HEARING

VIEW COUNCIL CALENDAR

Community News, Events, and Updates

BGE Customer Relief Fund

As our region experiences more extreme weather patterns, energy bills continue to rise. Residents are encouraged to apply for assistance through the new BGE Customer Relief Fund. These funds are part of a one-time, $15 million initiative to provide support and relief to customers who are struggling with high costs.

Eligible low and middle-income customers will be able to apply for one-time grants ranging from $250 to $750, which will be credited directly to their BGE accounts. Applications opened on July 1st through United Way of Central Maryland's website.

Women's Equality Day Celebration

To commemorate the adoption of the 19th Amendment and Women's Equality Day, join the Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE) on Wednesday, August 27th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the East Columbia 50+ Center.

This event features uplifting music aimed at inspiring us to engage in collective action towards equality for women across the United States.

Seating for this event is limited and advanced registration is required. To get your free ticket, visit OHRE's 2025 Women's Equality Day Celebration Eventbrite website.

Share Your Feedback on the East Columbia Library Park Design

Join Recreation & Parks to share feedback on the East Columbia Library Park design at their headquarters on Wednesday, August 27th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM for a public meeting where staff will present the park’s renovation design, answer questions, and gather comments. The current design includes two irrigated, natural-turf, multipurpose fields, a playground, a new pavilion, and two lighted basketball courts.

Community members interested in speaking at the meeting can sign up in advance by going to the Recreation & Parks website; written testimony may also be submitted at the same link until 3:00 PM on August 27th.

Human Rights Commission 2025 Award Nominations

Annually, the Human Rights Commission hosts an award program to honor and celebrate individuals, organizations, and students who have served their community by contributing to the advancement of human and civil rights in Howard County. If you know of a nominee who embodies this award, please complete the Commission's award nomination form on the OHRE website by Sunday, August 31st at 5:00 PM.

Awardees will be recognized at a ceremony on Thursday, October 23rd at 6:30 PM at Howard Community College.

Plan Howard Academy Applications

Registration is open for the Department of Planning and Zoning’s award-winning planning course, PlanHoward Academy. This free, five-week course is taught by professional planners and attorneys. Participants can take part in hands-on learning exercises and in-class instruction focused on land development in Howard County. Lessons teach participants how the planning and land development process works, and the plans, policies, and procedures that help shape and grow our county.

Visit the PlanHoward Academy website to register and submit an application. Applications must be submitted by Sunday, September 7th.

Community Ambassador Program

Join the Community Ambassador Program for its next program session on Tuesday, September 9th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Robinson Nature Center, to learn about efforts to build a more sustainable, resilient, and environmentally responsible community.

Joined by staff members from the County’s Office of Community Sustainability and the Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Environmental Services, participants will learn about how these offices work to educate and engage residents on key environmental issues, including promoting sustainable practices, protecting natural resources, and ensuring all communities have access to the tools and support needed to build a greener, healthier future. To register to participate in this session, visit the Community Ambassador Program website.

The Community Ambassador Program aims to empower residents to become trusted messengers and community experts in county programs. Ambassadors gain first knowledge of Howard County resources and services – from safety to housing to parks – and help bridge the gap between county government and the communities it serves.

Hate Has No Place: Reporting Hate Crimes and Hate Bias Incidents

Join the Office of Human Rights and Equity and the Human Rights Commission on Thursday, September 11th at 6:30 PM at East Columbia 50+ Center, for the third public forum on hate crimes and hate bias incidents (HBIs). At this event, participants will learn and can ask questions about reporting hate crimes and HBIs. Additionally, participants will hear from Howard County Police Department’s Community Outreach Team on how these reports are investigated by law enforcement and participate in a discussion forum on the current state of hate in Howard County.

To be a part of this important event, visit OHRE’s Hate Has No Place: Reporting Hate Crimes & Hate Bias Incidents Eventbrite website to register. For questions or more information about this event, email OHRE at ohre@howardcountymd.gov.

Heat Pump Savings

Howard County is partnering with Switch Together to offer the Switch Together Heat Pump Co-op, which leverages group purchasing power to offer reduced rates when residents upgrade their HVAC system to a modern, efficient heat pump.

Register for the Switch Together Heat Pump Co-op by September 19th to find out how much you could save on an HVAC upgrade. Stack savings offered by the Switch Together group discount, federal tax credit, utility rebates, and incentives unlocked when you take advantage of a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR energy audit. BGE customers can learn more about savings associated with energy audits on the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® website.

Walk to End Alzheimer's

Join the Alzheimer's Association on Saturday, September 27th at Centennial Park for the Walk to End Alzheimer's Howard County!

All funds raised through Walk to End Alzheimer's further the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association.

Learn more, register, and donate at the Walk to End Alzheimer's website.

Walk to Prevent Suicide

Join the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for the Out of the Darkness Walk in Howard County on Saturday, September 27th at the Azlon Plaza.

AFSP’s Out of the Darkness walks are held in hundreds of cities across the country each year. These events give people the courage to open-up about their own connections to the cause, and a platform to create a culture that’s smarter about mental health. Friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers walk side-by-side, supporting each other and in memory of those lost.

Learn more, register, and donate at AFSP website.

Know Your Rights

All immigrants, documented or not, have constitutional protections. Knowing these rights are a crucial tool for self-protection, dignity, and equality.

Learn more by visiting the Luminus 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!

Scrap the Garbage Disposal - Bin it, Don't Spin it!

As part of the legislation on the docket this month, I’ve been busy reviewing the draft of the County’s Solid Waste Management Plan (CR143-2025). Managing our waste may not always be glamorous, but it’s one of the most important ways we can protect our environment and prepare for a sustainable future.

Did you know that what goes down your kitchen sink can have a big impact on our environment? While garbage disposals might seem like a convenient way to get rid of food scraps, they actually create more problems than they solve.

When food waste is sent down the drain or garbage disposal, it travels through our pipes and into wastewater treatment plants. The problem? That waste doesn't magically disappear. It takes significant energy to process and filter back out. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, food waste accounts for about 22% of all municipal solid waste in the United States, the single largest category in our landfills. In Howard County, it is nearly 30% of residential waste! In addition, fats, oils, and grease from food scraps can clog pipes, leading to costly plumbing issues and sewer backups in our community.

In Howard County, waste water, including the food scraps from the garbage disposal, is sent to the Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant. Treating this water with food scraps is more expensive than landfilling or composting. If we can keep the scraps out of the sink, we can save taxpayer dollars, reduce energy use, and keep our infrastructure running without this extra "drain" on our resources.

The better alternative is to place food waste in your green bin for composting or in the trash if composting is not available. Composting not only keeps scraps out of our waterways, it also turns leftovers into nutrient-rich soil that can be used to support local gardens and farms. By making this simple switch, residents can reduce strain on our systems, cut down on harmful emissions, and give food waste a second life. Check to see if you are eligible for the County's Green Bin Program by visiting the Feed the Green Bin website.

Let’s work together to keep our water clean and our community sustainable, one plate at a time! When it comes to food scraps, remember it's better to bin it than spin it!

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.

Howard County Boards and Commissions

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

Asian American Pacific Islander Commission – seeks one college/trade student commissioner and one high school commissioner to host public bi-monthly meetings, advise the Howard County Executive on policy initiatives, and advocate for issues that impact the AAPI community.
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 one adult commissioner, one college/trade school commissioner, and one high school commissioner to promote diversity, civility and address the concerns of Latino and immigrant communities.
LGBTQIA+ Commission – seeks one adult commissioner, one college/trade school commissioner, and one high school commissioner to advance policy and systemic change for all persons who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Non-binary, and other capacities along the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission – seeks four adult commissioners and two high school commissioners to encourage and coordinate appropriate ceremonies and activities honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.
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.

If you are interested in learning more about these commissions and/or how to apply, visit the Boards and Commissions website.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) Howard-Co

Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) Howard-Co will be participating in the Bunks Across America Nationwide Bed Build on Saturday, September 13th 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Lowe's, 8281 Gateway Overlook Drive, Elkridge, MD 21075. SHP Ho-Co is partnering with Lowe’s and more than 100 employee volunteers from Lowe’s stores within the greater Baltimore area to achieve this lofty yet attainable goal.

Together, SHP and Lowe’s aims to build 60 beds in one day for local Howard County children. Lowe’s is sponsoring the event and providing the location for the build, volunteers, a financial contribution, and discounted materials as part of their corporate support. Additional event donors include Sheehy Toyota of Laurel and the Howard County Association of Realtors (HCAR) through their community involvement program, HCAR CARES.

Those interested in volunteering for SHP build events can express interest through the chapter website.