Greetings!
On Friday, April 1st, County Executive Ball released his Fiscal Year 2023 Proposed Capital Budget and presented it to the County Council for consideration. This Capital Budget includes important investments in District 3 that I want to share with you.
There are several priority projects in this FY23 Capital Budget that I am pleased to see funded. This Capital Budget fully funds the school system's Capital Budget request, including continued work on the Hammond High School Renovation/Addition, High School 13, and funding for systemic renovations.
This budget also includes historic levels of funding for bike and pedestrian infrastructure, which is critical to our efforts to improve safety and provide multimodal transportation options to our neighbors.
While funding for these projects has been proposed by County Executive Ball, there is no guarantee that these projects will be approved by the County Council in the final budget. In order for these critical projects to move forward, we need your help to advocate for their funding. Please let the County Council know what projects and initiatives are important to you by submitting testimony on the budget to CouncilMail@howardcountymd.gov.
For more information about the budget process, please visit the County Council’s budget page. The schedule of the Council’s Budget Public Hearings and Work Sessions are available on the County Council’s calendar page.
For your information, I have included information in this newsletter on the projects that are either located in District 3 or that I thought might be of interest to District 3 residents. To see the entire FY23 Capital Budget as proposed to the County Council, click here.
Yours in service,
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Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
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This year, County Executive Ball has proposed $105.9 million in capital funding to the Howard County Public School System, fully funding the HCPSS budget request. This investment includes $34.9 million for the Hammond High School Addition/Renovation, $5.4 million for the new High School 13 in Jessup, and $30.6 million for Systemic Renovations. Construction of the Talbott Springs Elementary School Replacement continues to make progress.
I'm thrilled that these long-awaited projects are moving forward on schedule in the proposed Capital Budget, and I look forward to students and families walking through the doors of their schools with a renewed sense of pride in 2023. You can learn more about these projects and other projects of interest by clicking the links below:
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BIKE & PEDESTRIAN PROJECTS |
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Howard County continues to move towards a Complete Streets vision that prioritizes pedestrians, bicyclists, and transportation safety for people of all ages and abilities. The FY23 Capital Budget directs over $8 million in funding to these critical bike and pedestrian improvements.
This budget includes funding to advance several important projects in District 3, including the Dobbin Road multiuse pathway, North Laurel Connections, sidewalks on Whiskey Bottom Road, and a Sidewalk Study on Old Scaggsville Road in Laurel.
You can learn more about these projects and other projects of interest by clicking the links below. While not every project listed below received additional funding this year, the budget document includes important updates on their progress:
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PARKS & COMMUNITY RESOURCES |
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In this year's budget, County Executive Ball has proposed $19 million in funding for Recreation and Parks, the most funding in 8 years. These funds will be used to continue improvements at Blandair Park and upgrade facilities at existing parks. Additionally, the County Executive is proposing $6 million in funding for the potential acquisition of the Camp Ilchester Property in Ellicott City, which is currently for sale by the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland.
This year's budget also includes funding to begin renovation work on the existing East Columbia 50+ Center space, which will be turned into a Multi-Service Center once the new East Columbia 50+ Center is constructed.
In addition to investments in Parks and Community Services, this FY23 budget also includes investments in Howard Community College and the Howard County Library System. Construction funding is proposed to continue work on HCC's Mathematics and Athletics Complex, and design funding is proposed to begin work on the new Central Library located in Downtown Columbia.
I am disappointed that the North Laurel Community Pool has not been allocated any additional funding this year. I have also included information on several other community projects in the budget below:
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Several important road construction projects are included in this year's budget. Notably, County Executive Ball has proposed $12.5 million in funding for road resurfacing, the highest amount in 8 years. With new Complete Streets guidance in place, road resurfacing efforts will include important additions of bike lanes and other multimodal features.
Many District 3 projects continue to be in the process of land acquisition before construction is able to take place. I am pleased to report that the reconstruction of the Guilford-Oakland Mills intersection and traffic light is well-underway and should be completed soon.
You can learn more about these projects and other projects of interest by clicking the links below:
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ENVIRONMENTAL &
DRAINAGE PROJECTS
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There are a number of projects in the FY23 Capital Budget that advance important work on Howard County's environmental initiatives, drainage projects, and critical infrastructure. This includes funding to advance Howard County's Electric Vehicle (EV) transition and continued improvements to composting facilities at the Alpha Ridge Landfill, which helps expand Howard County's Green Bin composting program (learn more & signal your interest in the Green Bin Program here).
Howard County also continues to make progress on the Ellicott City Safe and Sound Plan to mitigate future flooding. The FY23 Capital Budget proposes over $36 million for Ellicott City improvements, which includes funding for the North Tunnel, Maryland Ave culverts, and several stormwater ponds. You can learn more about these projects by clicking the links below:
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Several public safety projects are included in the FY23 Capital Budget. Construction of the Route One Fire Station is expected to be completed by June 2022. In future years, Howard County anticipates constructing a new North Columbia Fire Station and a replacement for the Banneker Fire Station in Downtown Columbia.
The FY23 Budget also includes funding for renovations of the Howard County Detention Center, which will include design of a new Mental Health Unit. Funding for renovations at the Southern District Police Station is also included. You can learn more about these projects by clicking the links below:
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The County Council wants to hear your thoughts and testimony on this year’s Capital Budget! I encourage you to provide your feedback by emailing CouncilMail@howardcountymd.gov. Community members and organizations may also sign up to testify on the FY23 Capital Budget during our upcoming public hearings.
The first public hearing on the FY23 Capital Budget is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19th at 6:00pm. The second Public Hearing on the Capital Budget is scheduled for Thursday, May 12th at 9:30 AM. You may sign up to testify virtually here.
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Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
crigby@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-2001
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Colette Gelwicks
Special Assistant
cgelwicks@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-2421
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Felix Facchine
District Aide
ffacchine@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-3108
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Please feel free to contact us by email or phone. Plus, you can stay up-to-date with Christiana by following us on social media, where we post daily updates on events, county news, legislative priorities, and Christiana's activity! Don't miss out on any District 3 news! |
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