It is budget season for many local governments and Howard County is no exception. As we make our way through thick binders of information that include everything from bridges and uniforms, to teachers and food pantries, I am constantly reminded of all the County does for its residents. We educate our children, feed the hungry, pave the roads, build sidewalks, mitigate stormwater, and provide emergency/fire and police protection, to name just a few things. It is a daunting task to review the dollars allocated for all of the services and capital goods, but it is a critical component of our jobs as council members. I appreciate all of the public input in the process and welcome your thoughts about any aspect of the County budget. Adoption of the budget bills will take place on May 29th.
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Tax Credit Help
Get help filing for
County tax credits. A Maryland Access Point (MAP) counselor will be available at the Cashier’s Office at the George Howard Building on the following dates:
- May 15, 9am-1pm (Korean language assistance available)
- July 15, 9am-1pm
- August 7, 8am-5pm
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Potholes Be Gone
Got potholes and other road and infrastructure repair requests? Report the problem and track the solution through
SeeClickFix
.
Create a login, set your location, and rest assured that the county is working on it for you.
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Pre-Submission Meetings & Public Hearings
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5/8 - Columbia Community Church, parking lot expansion
5/23 - Tributaries to Little Patuxent River 1 & 2, stream restoration project
6/7 - RLJ Lodging Trust (Double Tree)
Visit the county's interactive
pDox
tool for more.
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Commission on Disabilities Report
The Howard County Commission on Disabilities presented its “2019 Report on the Status of People with Disabilities in Howard County.” Read more
here
.
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Scholarship Program
High-school seniors who meet the following criteria may qualify for the 2019 Nationwide and the National Association of Counties scholarship.
Four $2,500 scholarships will be awarded in fall 2019 in honor of the scholarship program’s 15
th
year in existence.
High-school seniors whose parents, grandparents or legal guardians actively contribute to Howard County 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan are eligible to apply for a $2,500 college scholarship.
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The Council is working through the
FY2020 Operating & Capital Budget
for all departments including the Board of Education, Howard Community College, and Libraries.
The Council completed its capital and operating budget work session for Schools, Libraries, and Community College on April 29. A public hearing on these departments was held on April 24.
On May 1, the County Council held a public hearing on the Operating Budget for all departments except schools, libraries, and colleges. The last public hearing is on May 13th starting at 1:00p.m. on the Capital and Operating Budget.
In addition to budget matters, the Council is also considering additional legislative bills. A work session on the following high-profile bills introduced in April occurred on April 29.
- CR49 - Development Rights & Responsibilities Agreement (DRRA) with Chase Land, LLC ( see below for a description of a DRRA)
- CB17 - Increasing the number of consecutive years a project must be retested under the school capacity test of APFO.
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- Total operating budget is $1.7 billion, a 7.5% increase from FY2019.
- Revenue increases include a transfer from the water and sewer funds and an increase in the fire fund.
- General Fund budget totals are $1.2 billion, an increase of 1.8% from FY2019.
- General Fund revenue growth is modest.
Primary operating recipients and highlights:
- Howard County Public School System $605.2 million, $5.1 million above the state required Maintenance of Effort
- Howard Community College: $35.8 million, an increase of 2.5%
- Howard County Library System: $21.5 million, an increase of 2.5%
- Police: $487,000 for new school bus camera enforcement initiative; the discontinued aviation unit (a cut of $300,000 in FY2020); partner agencies will provide coverage and the county is exploring the use of unmanned aircraft systems.
- Hospital: New residential substance-abuse treatment facility ($750,000) with 10 beds reserved for Howard County residents; hospitals doctor-recruitment program and behavioral health navigators ($343,000); emergency room improvements ($312,500)
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Give me your input on the Budget
here
.
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What is a DRRA?
In 1995, the State of Maryland authorized local jurisdictions to enter into bargained agreements, known as a Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreement (DRRA), with property owners who were planning to develop their land. The legislation was intended to vest zoning rights and regulations for the developer by freezing local laws and regulations as of the date of the agreement, and provide public enhancements and certainty for local governments. The terms and conditions of a DRRA are now defined in the Howard County code at Subtitle 17, Sec. 16.1700.
Since its adoption across the state, DRRAs have been challenged in court for their scope, adequacy of public enhancements, and the appeals process. In 2016, a Frederick County DRRA associated with a 675-unit development near Lake Linganore was challenged in court by a local environmental group that claimed the agreement lacked sufficient public enhancements. As a result, a 2018 state bill to require public enhancements passed the House of Delegates but did not succeed in the State Senate.
A fiscal note attached to the original enabling DRRA legislation anticipated lost revenue for jurisdictions due to the freeze of fees, ranging from school surcharges to building permits. The state fiscal analysis also found that the local counties could be on the hook for increased costs in construction of developer required infrastructure, including sewer- and water-hookups if the agreements did not enumerate these responsibilities.
Howard County has entered into a DRRA twice, for Doughregan Manor and Downtown Columbia. A third DRRA is presently being considered for the Mission Road school site (CR49). I have introduced an amendment to the agreement that would limit the freeze to a portion of the developer's land rather than the entire parcel. The amendment will be voted upon on Monday night.
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Human Rights Commission Announces Winners of 2019 Human Rights Award
I was pleased to be invited to serve as a co-presenter for the 2019 Human Rights Award. As a former member of the Human Rights Commission, I am well aware of the important work they do in promoting diversity and inclusiveness, as well as ensuring that our local discrimination rules are upheld. This year's winners are:
- Frank V. Eastham Jr.
- Dou Alvin Zhang, MD, PhD
- Howard County Voices For Change (V4C).
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Little Patuxent Parkway Paving Project
Milling and paving will start near Columbia Road on April 28, moving westbound toward Broken Land Parkway. Once westbound lanes have been repaved, milling and paving will begin near eastbound Broken Land Parkway. The project is anticipated to be complete by late June.
Broken Land Parkway and Mall Ring Road Intersection
T
he intersection of
Broken Land Parkway at Mall Ring Road in Columbia
will be converted into a multi-way traffic stop scheduled to take place on or about
Tuesday, April 30
. An additional
two
stop sign
s
will be placed
on northbound
Broken Land Parkway
at the intersection to create the new traffic pattern. Recent studies have shown that traffic volume continues to increase in the area, making the change necessary to improve safety for turning traffic at that intersection.
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Below are some of the events and meetings I have recently attended. Let me know about your community activities so I can stop by, if my schedule allows.
04/17 - Human Rights Commission Human Rights Awards
04/18 - Chamber Legislative Wrap-Up Breakfast
04/25 - Winter Growth 40th Anniversary Celebration
04/26- Fire Ops 101
04/27 - HC Drug Free drug take back
04/27 - Harpers Choice Election Festival
4/27- HC Autism Society Annual Gala
4/28 - Jazz in the Woods
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I had such a blast at the Howard County Fire & Rescue Department's Fire Ops program for Council members and County government staff. I donned the full gear, extinguished a car fire, learned what it takes to do a car extraction, performed CPR, and gained immeasurable admiration for our hardworking Fire & Rescue service members. Thanks for keeping us safe.
The day after all the smoke and sweat, I helped out in the Drug Take Back with HC Drug Free, enjoyed listening to fantastic jazz from the Wilde Lake band at the Chrysalis, stopped by the Harpers Choice Election Festival and attended the Autism Society Gala. It's been a busy month!
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Happy 40th Anniversary, Winter Growth.
And Happy 100th Birthday, Anne Berk.
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FIRN'S INTERNATIONAL 5K and 1 MILE FAMILY FUN RUN/WALK
May 4th, 9:00am - 10:30am
Howard Community College
10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia
IT'S NOT TO LATE TO REGISTER!!!
Event Schedule
7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Packet Pickup / Race Day Registration
8:30 a.m. Zumba!
8:55 a.m. Family Fun Run/Walk line up
9:00 a.m. Family Fun Run/Walk Starts
9:15 a.m. Pre-race Meeting for 5K
9:30 a.m. 5K Race Starts
10:30 a.m. Awards Ceremony
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SOUNDS OF NATURE CONCERT & INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO
May 4th, 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Robinson Nature Center
6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia
All ages. Come enjoy a live CandleKids classical music performance at the Robinson Nature Center as Crosswinds-a flute, oboe and bassoon trio-explores the sounds of nature through classical, folk and popular music.
click
here
for more information
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Merriweather Post Pavilion
Concert season has begun!
Check out the full 2019 calendar of live music for an endearing Howard County tradition.
click
here
for the calendar.
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Chrysalis Events
More outdoor shows, more intimate setting. Columbia is blessed with fine arts and cultural performances.
click
here
for the calendar.
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St. Louis Concert features USAF Singing Sergeants
May 19th, 4pm
St. Louis Church
12500 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville
FREE concert by The Singing Sergeants, the official chorus of the United States Air Force Band, will present a musical salute. Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., the Singing Sergeants perform a wide range of musical styles, from traditional Americana, opera, and choral standards to modern Broadway and jazz. No tickets are required for this family-oriented event, but best seating is first-come for this popular community performance. Ample free parking; handicapped accessible.
click
here
for more information.
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