Greetings!

I'm proud to share that the County Council has taken decisive action to protect our community and uphold our values.

We passed two critical pieces of legislation in response to the attempted opening of a private detention facility in Elkridge and the increase in ICE's presence in our community: CB16-2026 and CB17-2026.

CB16-2026 is about protecting the values and neighborhoods that make Howard County home. Our community’s strength comes from connection, inclusion, and the belief that our neighbors belong here. Anything that threatens that, through fear or forced separation, undermines who we are.

CB17-2026 allows the County to create the framework that gives our employees the tools they need to protect their neighbors. We need to a roadmap for how employees should handle high stress situations. This is a commonsense measure that I am proud to support.

Howard County has long affirmed that our strength comes from our diversity and from our commitment to treating every resident with dignity and respect. That commitment is reflected in policies like the Liberty Act and these important pieces of legislation and, just as importantly, in the everyday actions of our community members, nonprofit partners, faith leaders, educators, and advocates who show up to support their immigrant neighbors in tangible ways.

Howard County will continue to center the values of fairness, due process, and human dignity in our local governance, while working in partnership with community organizations that are on the front lines of this work. Included here are documents with additional resources, available in both English and Spanish, that can be shared with community members to assist in preparation and ways to support coalition building. 

Thank you to everyone who spoke up, testified, and stayed engaged! This legislation matters, but it is not the end. Our work to protect dignity, safety, and belonging for all our neighbors continues, and I’m committed to seeing it through.

As we continue through the winter, 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. Have a wonderful February!

On February 2nd, the County Council convened for our February Legislative Session. The Council voted on several pieces of legislation, including the following:

• TAO1-FY2026: An act transferring $7,600,000 from various School System capital projects to capital project E1036, Oakland Mills Middle School Addition and Renovation, in order to address a budget shortfall on that project. This bill passed in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

• CR23-2026: A resolution proposing to amend the Howard County Charter to make the language of the Charter gender neutral; and submitting this amendment to the voters of Howard County for their adoption or rejection. This bill was tabled in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by Councilwoman Christiana Rigby.

• CR24-2026: A resolution amending the Howard County Charter to increase the number of members of the Howard County Board of Appeals from five to seven members; update the political party affiliation distribution of Board members; and submitting this amendment to the voters of Howard County for their adoption or rejection. This bill was tabled in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by Councilwoman Christiana Rigby.

• CB3-2026: An act amending the Howard County Zoning Regulations to allow accessory dwelling units in Howard County under certain conditions. This bill passed, as amended, in a 4-1 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

• CB4-2026: An act amending the Howard County Zoning Regulations to implement the General Plan’s recommendations for housing in activity centers, including defining activity center; providing that certain types of development projects in the TOD or TNC zoning districts shall provide more than one housing type; and adding regulations for age-restricted adult housing in the TOD zoning district; and generally relating to the Howard County Zoning Regulations. This bill was tabled in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

• CB5-2026: An act requiring the resumes or other biographical information of all appointments to a Howard County Board or Commission, be posted on the County government website; and generally relating to Boards and Commissions. This bill passed, as amended, in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by Councilmember David Yungmann.

• CB6-2026: An act prohibiting members of the Howard County Ethics Commission from serving on other Howard County Boards or Commissions while serving as a current member of the Howard County Ethics Commission; and generally relating to the Howard County Ethics Commission. This bill passed, as amended, in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by Councilmember David Yungmann.

• CB7-2026: An act prohibiting the County Council, individual Councilmembers, and County Council staff from hindering, obstructing, or disrupting the deliberations and decisions of certain County Board or Commission; and generally relating to Howard County Boards and Commissions. This bill passed, as amended in a 3-2 vote. Introduced by Councilmember Dr. Opel Jones.

On February 2nd, the County Council convened for our February Legislative Session. Below is some the legislation under consideration by the Council:

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

At the Council's February Legislative Session, my Council colleagues and I passed CB3-2026, legislation to amend our zoning regulations to expand opportunities for the development of ADUs.

Not only do these amendments modernize our ADU regulations to increase flexibility and accessibility, but they also support a broader mix of housing options across our County. Additionally, these updates preserve key safeguards, such as owner-occupancy requirements and by-right ADU use, while removing outdated lot size restrictions and protecting neighborhood character through clear setback standards and thoughtful adjustments to lot coverage. 

To learn more about ADU’s, visit the Department of Planning and Zoning's website.

Earned Income Tax Credit

You may be eligible for a refund this tax season!

Many working Marylanders qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) without realizing it. This credit can help increase your refund or reduce what you owe, and some Marylanders may receive up to $4,000 from the state EITC in addition to the federal credit.

The EITC is a tax refund of the money you paid in taxes. You earned it through your work, and filing your tax return is the only way to claim it. Even if you worked part-time, seasonally, or are filing for the first time, you may still qualify.

Marylanders can access free, trusted tax prep through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites and other partners across the state.

Find locations and details at: MarylandComptroller.gov/EarnedIt.

Office of the Inspector General

Howard County's Office of the Inspector General is ready to serve!

The Office of the Inspector General is an independent office providing increased accountability and oversight into the operations of Howard County Government. The Office is responsible for investigating waste, fraud, and abuse; identifying ways to promote accountability, efficiency, and integrity; and monitoring the activities and records of Howard County Government.

While the Office is creating a dedicated website, all complaints can be emailed to inspectorgeneral@howardcountymd.gov or reported to the hotline at 410-313-2115.

Transportation Open House

Howard County's Office of Transportation's Open House has been rescheduled to Tuesday, March 3rd from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Miller Branch Library.

This annual open house event includes information about transportation safety, transit, and regional planning, and roadway maintenance and operations.

At the event, attendees can help inform the County's overall transportation priorities, approaches to solving common transportation challenges, and specific projects. Representatives from the Howard County Police Department, Howard County Public School System, Maryland Department of Transportation, Baltimore Metropolitan Council, and Columbia Association will also be in attendance.

To learn more about the Transportation Open House, visit the Office of Transportation website.

BikeHoward Update Public Workshops

The County's Office of Transportation is updating BikeHoward, our Bicycle Master Plan. Over the next month, they will be hosting four public workshops to gather feedback and comments. Stop by during one of the meeting dates listed below to share your thoughts!

• Monday, February 23rd from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Elkridge Library
• Tuesday, March 3rd from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Miller Branch Library
• Thursday, March 5th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the North Laurel Community Center
• Tuesday, March 10th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Central Branch Library

Learn more by visiting the BikeHoward website.

KC CARES Environmental Town Hall

KC CARES is hosting a 2026 Environmental Town Hall on Tuesday, March 10th at 7:00 PM at Amherst House in Columbia.

I'm excited to join Director Nick Mooneyhan from Howard County's Recreation and Parks, Lindsay DeMarzo from Howard County's Office of Community Sustainability, and Danielle Tyerar, CA's Sustainability Manager as we discuss stormwater management, wildlife, land development, energy, data centers, and more.

Registration in advance is required by mailing KCvillageCARES@gmail.com.

Office of Human Rights & Equity Resource Guide

Recently, Howard County's Office of Human Rights & Equity released their Immigration, Refuge, and Asylum Seeker Resources for the Howard County Community. This comprehensive guide is currently available in both English and Spanish and contains information for legal, mental health, passport, and advocacy services.

Howard County stands firm with all of its residents and opposes any criminalization of our residents based on immigration status, race, ethnicity, or any other protected status under our laws.

To learn more about available resources and supports, visit the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity.

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.

Project Sunroof

Every year, the Howard County Environmental Sustainability Board hosts an annual Sustainability Breakfast in anticipation of the Maryland General Assembly session. Legislators, advocates, and experts come together to discuss upcoming sustainability initiatives.

This year’s keynote speaker was Jigar Shah, named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024 and an expert in energy issues. His message to the room was clear: we already have the technology we need. We should focus on fully implementing it instead of chasing the next shiny new thing.

Mr. Shah highlighted affordable energy solutions, like wind and solar power, that are available today. He pointed to Texas, where installing solar panels is treated as simply as adding a new dishwasher or oven. Expanding the use of existing technology, he said, could significantly accelerate our progress toward a greener future. This message resonates with me not only in terms of energy generation, but also in other areas, such as waste management (are you using your Green Bin for composting?).

For those who are curious about solar panels but unsure how to take the next steps, there are tools that help. Google’s Project Sunroof is a free online tool that uses aerial imagery and local weather data to estimate how much sunlight your roof receives and what that could mean for your energy bills. Project Sunroof provides personalized estimates for each address, including:

• Roof suitability for solar panels
• Estimated installation costs and potential long-term savings on electricity bills
• Expected reductions in carbon emissions
• Information on available incentives and financing options

Project Sunroof translates complex data into clear, practical insights, making solar energy more accessible. Whether you are ready to install solar panels now or simply want to explore your options, it can help you make an informed decision.

We can all contribute to a greener Howard County by maximizing the tools we already have available. Let’s put today’s technology to work for a more sustainable future, together!

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

Howard County has many volunteer Boards and Commissions that advise the County Executive or County Council! Members are tasked with providing policy, program, and implementation recommendations that push our government forward.

The County is seeking members to serve on numerous Boards and Commissions. If you are interested in learning more about these commissions and/or how to apply, visit the Boards and Commissions website.

• Resources for Impacted Federal Employees
• Food Assistance from the Howard County Food Bank
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Energy and Utility Assistance

• HCPD Daily Bulletin
• Interactive Map
• Unemployment Benefits from the State of Maryland
• Maryland Vaccine Locator

Navigating County, State, and Federal services is often complicated and my office is available to help connect you with the proper channels. If you have any questions about issues or concerns in your community, please reach out by emailing crigby@howardcountymd.gov.

A pre-submission community meeting is required prior to the initial submittal of plans for all new residential development, new non-residential development, and existing non-residential development with a proposed floor area expansion of more than 25%. The pre-submission community meeting is for the developer/petitioner to provide information to the community regarding the proposed initial plan submittal and to allow community residents to ask questions and make comments before the initial plan submittal for the subject property.

There are no community pre-submission meeting scheduled in District 3.

Christiana Rigby

Councilwoman, District 3

crigby@howardcountymd.gov

410-313-2001

Colette Gelwicks

Chief of Staff

cgelwicks@howardcountymd.gov

410-313-2421