It's with great pleasure to announce that Howard County received 27 National Association of Counties (NACo) awards! Howard County is at the forefront of innovative and effective government solutions, and these awards are a testament to the incredibly hard working employees dedicated to our community. NACo represents 3,069 county governments across the nation, and Howard County continues to stand out on good governance and creative problem solving.

Especially amid a pandemic, the challenges we’ve faced over the past year encouraged our workforce to think creatively and look forward to modernizing our services and continue to make Howard County the best place to live, work, grow, and play. I’m beyond grateful to our County employees who work so hard to make Howard County the best place for all. 

Read more here.

Through careful planning and thoughtful discussions, 2022 will be our largest operating budget for our school system to date, with no tax increases for our residents or businesses. Education is still our top priority, with historically high funding to the school system and fully funding the Board of Education’s requests for special education and instruction. 

The Council approved $640.8 million for the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), a $20.5 million increase over last year’s budget and exceeding Maintenance of Effort (MOE) levels by $8 million, marking the largest increase over MOE in seven years. I want to thank the Howard County Council and the Howard County Board of Education for their collaborative efforts.

Last week was an emotional week for many parents, including me, as we watched our children walk the stage to receive their High School diplomas at Merriweather Post Pavilion. It took a lot of hard work to reach this goal. Whether virtual or in person, you had to show up every day.

I hope you feel great about what you’ve accomplished, and I hope you’ll continue to be a person who shows up day in and day out for those things that are worthwhile and important in life. Congratulations to all our graduates and their families on this incredible accomplishment. 

The East Columbia 50+ Center is a critical resource for our aging residents and our community. In addition to the $1 million in state funding, our FY22 Capital Budget included $5.5 million for this critical expansion. 

The existing East Columbia 50+ Center is 3,800 square feet with a capacity of 60. The expanded 50+ center will be 29,600 square feet and will include a variety of resources for our older adults to enjoy. As we’ve seen throughout the past year, a community center that allows our older residents to connect, learn, and thrive is a key component to a high quality of life. 

Construction of the 50+ Center could begin as early as August 2021, with a projected opening date in the spring of 2023. For our aging residents, this center is long overdue.

The Play-for-All Playground at Blandair Regional Park should be the model for the state and the nation. It’s an accessible playground where kids, especially after being cooped up for so long, are able to come out and play no matter their ability. 

I encourage our young residents, if you haven’t already, to visit our new park!

Watch WBAL's story here.

To continue to mitigate COVID-19 in our community, we included $1 million in our FY22 budget to support the Howard County Health Department's ongoing pandemic response needs. This vital funding supports needs such as potential COVID-19 booster vaccinations, initial COVID vaccinations for children under 12 years old who are currently not eligible for vaccine, and mitigation of COVID-19 and its variants in the coming fall and winter months.

It was my honor to join Senator Chris Van Hollen at Wayside Inn in Ellicott City to discuss the benefits of CARES Act funding and how we used $18 million to support nearly 2,000 local businesses and organizations during the pandemic. 

I’m so grateful for business owners, like Kewei “Joe” Xu, for their resiliency throughout the last year. Special thank you to Howard County Economic Development Authority and Visit Howard County for their collaborative partnership. Together, we will continue our journey on the road to recovery, and I encourage all residents to support our small, local businesses.

Last week, the County Council passed my Fiscal Year 2022 budget, which included a record $5.4 million to support pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure in Howard County. This funding also enables repairs and maintenance of existing sidewalks and curb ramps. 

Both the new infrastructure and maintenance of existing facilities provide significant safety, economic, environmental and health benefits for our community. Together, we will ensure all our residents have access to safe and reliable infrastructure.

June is Internet Safety Month, and the perfect time to review our online behavior and identify ways we can use the internet in safer ways. As we have seen an increased online usage, throughout the month, we will provide safety tips to encourage safe practices. 

Tip #1 - Use a strong, unique password for every website. Password managers like LastPass automatically encrypts and enters your passwords to provide an extra level of security. Please, don't store your passwords in your browser.

According to the Maryland Department of Health, as of today, 81.4% of Howard County residents 18+ have received their first dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine. This percentage includes those who may have received a first dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.

Let's work to look out for one another, StayCOVIDSafe, and get vaccinated. Find a clinic near you at vaccine.howardcountymd.gov

Howard County is currently leading the State with 88.4% of residents age 65 and older who are fully vaccinated, according to the Maryland Department of Health. We remain committed to ensuring our most vulnerable populations, including older adults, receive the COVID-19 vaccine as quickly, safely, and efficiently as possible.

We will continue to StayCOVIDSafe by working together. To schedule an appointment with the State, please call 1 (855) MD-GOVAX.

According to the Maryland Department of Health, Howard County continues to lead the state with 73.8% of residents 18+ are fully vaccinated.

There are hundreds of provider locations including regional State-run mass vax clinics, retail pharmacies and hospital operating clinics where residents can receive a vaccine. Walk-in vaccinations are available for eligible residents 12+ at The Mall in Columbia, Wednesday - Sunday from 8am - 4pm.

Let's StayCOVIDSafe and get vaccinated!

Local and minority businesses are pivotal drivers in our economy. In order to foster a climate that encourages economic opportunities for local and minority businesses, creates a thriving local economy, and stimulates economic development within the County, Howard County Government has established a Local Business Initiative program and Equal Business Opportunity program.

Howard County is committed to creating a competitive and balanced economic environment within the County by ensuring community growth through these programs. This certification workshop on Monday, June 14th at 10:00 a.m. will highlight many of the benefits of registering as a local and/or minority-owned business as well as provide insightful information on small business programs and contracting opportunities with Howard County Government.

We know how difficult this past year has been for our community, and there is a lot of hope on the horizon that we will be able to gather together again soon. It's more vital than ever that we make sure our older adults, caregivers, and adults with disabilities have the support and connections they need to thrive.

Our Office on Aging and Independence has compiled a free resource guide for older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers that includes information about aging in place, housing, and health & wellness.

Be sure to check it out at https://tinyurl.com/HoCoResource and share it with family, friends, or loved ones that are looking for resources in Howard County.

Our Mobile Testing sites are now open from noon through 7:00 p.m. These mobile sites are more accessible to our community, provide quick test results, and improve our ability to contain COVID-19. 15-minute rapid testing and 24-hour PCR testing is available to residents at no cost at each of these five locations:

Please StayCOVIDSafe and get tested!

We are proud to announce a new foreclosure prevention program with $1.4 million supported through pandemic assistance funding. Residents impacted by COVID and not able to pay their mortgage payments should contact the Department of Housing and Community Development to complete an application for mortgage assistance. Applications are available here.

Residents with pending or approved forbearance plans with their mortgage lender are eligible to apply for assistance. Please note, the moratorium on filing of Notices of Intent to Foreclose also ends on 3/31.

Our Department of Community Resources and Services’ (DCRS) Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is alerting Howard County landlords and tenants of a recently passed amendment to the County’s Landlord Tenant Relations Act, that went into effect yesterday, June 6^th. The updated amendment:

For questions and/or more information on County and State Landlord-Tenant laws, visit CCP’s website at www.howardcountymd.gov/landlordtenant, check out its Guide for Landlords and Tenants or contact the office at 410-313-6420 and/or email consumer@howardcountymd.gov for assistance.

This past Memorial Day, DCRS’s Office of Veterans and Military Families (OVMF), with the support of the Howard County Commission for Veterans and Military Families, launched a new initiative to highlight veterans and military families. Our new “Fallen Heroes Tribute” initiative will feature profiles on our website of men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country and make sure these heroes are never forgotten. To learn more about the initiative and/or how to submit a narrative to honor the memory and service of a Howard County veteran, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/veterans today.

Stay up-to-date on the latest DCRS’s Office on Aging and Independence news and learn what great activities are happening in the county this June, by checking out the latest edition of The 50+ Connection.

DRCS’ Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is warning residents of another COVID-19 related scam to watch out for – funeral expense scams. If you sadly lost a loved one to COVID-19, you may be eligible for a government program that pays for funeral expenses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will pay up to $9,000 for funeral expenses for loved ones who died of the COVID-19 virus. Survivors can apply for benefits by contacting FEMA toll-free at 844-684-6333 and/or to view if you qualify, visit FEMA’s website. Unfortunately, FEMA has reported that scammers are contacting people and pretending to offer to register them for funeral expense benefits. To avoid government imposter scams, remember, FEMA will NOT contact you until you call or apply for assistance. Additionally, the government will NOT ask you to pay anything to get this benefit. And more importantly, NEVER give your own or your deceased loved one’s personal or financial information to anyone who contacts you out of the blue.

If you think you got a scam call, hang up and report it to the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

For questions about and more information about scams or for assistance with a consumer issue, please contact our Office of Consumer Protection today at 410-313-6420 or email consumer@howardcountymd.gov.

t 800-621-3362 or the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Hurricanes are among nature's most powerful and destructive phenomenon and June 1^st marked the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season. As the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently announced, its Climate Prediction Center is predicting another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2021. Forecasters predict a likely range of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which six to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher) and of these, three to five major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). That said, experts do not anticipate the historic level of storm activity the Atlantic saw last year 2020. The Atlantic hurricane season runs through November 30^th.

To make sure you, your family and home are prepared this hurricane season, in case the weather strikes, check out our Office of Emergency Management’s website to learn more about our local hazards, including hurricanes. Also, learn more about what to do before, during and after a hurricane, by visiting www.ready.gov/hurricanes for information and tips. If you do not have one already, make sure your family has a plan of what to do if disaster strikes and a disaster supply kit stocked with food, water and other supplies that will last for several days. Lastly, stay in the know by making sure "Emergency Alerts" are activated on and you’ve signed up to receive severe weather alerts to your phone.

He is our four-legged co-worker and he’s competing for highest honor in all the canine world, the American Humane's 2021 American Hero Dog award! Thanks to your votes, our Department of Fire and Rescue Services' (DFRS) accelerant detection canine Sowell has made it through to the next round of this year’s awards. By casting your vote daily, now through July 15^th, you can help us show everyone how great Sowell is and how much he means to DFRS, our community and Maryland.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2014 and 2018, fire departments across the United States responded to an annual average of 8,900 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues. This grilling season, keep your family and home safe when cooking outdoors with these grilling safety tips:

Misplaced your COVID-19 Vaccination Card? Never fear! You can easily request your vaccination records the Maryland Department of Health’s “Maryland MyIR” website. Maryland MyIR is a free website service that allows residents to view and print copies of their official vaccination records directly from ImmuNet, Maryland's immunization information system. ImmuNet is used by healthcare providers to securely maintain vaccination records for Maryland residents of all ages.

WE ARE HIRING! First announced in 2018, our Office of Human Resources is once again accepting applications for the County's Apprenticeship Program, specifically for Apprentice/Electrician and Apprentice/Plumber. A joint apprenticeship program registered with the Maryland Department of Labor, this four-year program provides participants the opportunity to earn 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and paid tuition to a trade school in exchange for a commitment to remain employed with Howard County Government for at least two years after completion of the program. Program participants are considered full-time County employees and are eligible for all the benefits. To learn more and/or to submit an application for this great program, I encourage you to visit www.governmentjobs.com/careers/howardcounty today. The DEADLINE to submit an application is this 11:59 p.m. this Friday, June 4^th.

The Howard County Human Rights Commission is seeking nominations for its 2021 Human Rights Commission Awards, which honors individuals (students and adults) and organizations that have made significant contributions to eliminating or eradicating discrimination, while advancing human and civil rights in Howard County. This year’s theme, “We Are More; Uplifting the Human Spirit,” speaks to the need for us to come together as a human family to create a better life for all people. Nomination forms can be found online HERE or you can request a paper copy be mailed to you by contacting our Office of Human Rights and Equity at 410-313-6430 or email hrc@howardcountymd.gov. The nomination deadline is August 15, 2021.

This year’s winners will be recognized at the 2021 Human Rights Commission Awards Ceremony on October 19^th at the Howard County Conservancy.

Our Department of Planning and Zoning’s (DPZ) Design Advisory Panel (DAP) will hold a meeting this Wednesday, June 9^th starting at 7:00 p.m. VIRTUALLY to hear the following item:

To register in advance to participate in this meeting, click HERE. If you only want to listen to the meeting, call 1-650-479-3207 at the meeting time. When prompted, enter 160 679 6870# as the event access code.

The DAP process encourages excellence in project architecture and site design to improve design compatibility with surrounding development, to promote revitalization and to enhance property values. You can use DPZ’s DAP interactive map to see which properties may be subject to DAP review. For DAP’s Rules of Procedure, click HERE. For questions and/or more information about DAP, contact the DPZ at 410-313-2350 or email dap@howardcountymd.gov.

In case you missed this touching story, when an elderly couple reported to our Police Department (HCPD) that they had been scammed out of $33,000 for an unfinished roof job, HCPD's patrol squad that covers their Ellicott City neighborhood decided to trade in their duty belts for tool belts and fix the roof themselves. With guidance from a neighborly roofing expert and donations of materials from The Home Depot, the squad spent their off-duty time making the much-needed repairs themselves. Job well done HCPD!

For tips on how to avoid falling victim to a scam and what to do if you do, visit OCP’s “Scam Alerts” webpage.

Local and minority businesses interested in doing business with Howard County Government, I invite you to join our Office of Procurement and Contract Administration next Monday, June 14th at 10:00 a.m. for its "Business Certification Workshop," where participants will learn about the Office's Local Business Initiative and Equal Business Opportunity programs and upcoming contracting opportunities with the County. To register and/or for more information, email localoutreach@howardcountymd.gov.

To learn about DPW projects currently underway, visit https://bit.ly/2V6K5B6. Searchable by project category and street name, from this site you’ll find additional project details, including news releases about the project. You can also contact DPW’s Customer Service Office at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov for further assistance.

If you have questions or are interested in finding out about a State road (numbered roadway) project in your area, visit the Maryland State Highway Administration’s (SHA) “Project Portal” website.

Did you know you can properly dispose of your worn-out American flags at our Bureau of Environmental Services’ Flag Retirement drop-off at Alpha Ridge Landfill. The flags are then retrieved by representatives from the American Legion Adams, Hanna, Moore Memorial Post 156 and disposed of in a dignified fashion as required by the U.S. Flag Code.

In case you missed last, last Tuesday, June 1^st, our Bureau of Environmental Services will resume collecting Construction and Demolition (C&D) fees at its Alpha Ridge Landfill. At the end of March of last year, DPW suspended its collection of C&D fees in order to reduce transactions at the Landfill’s scale house as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The suspension eliminated residents’ and staff’s need to handle cash, checks or credit cards. However, with greater knowledge of COVID-19 transmission and the growing vaccination rate of County Government employees and county residents, the suspension is being lifted.

Our Bureau of Environmental Services is encouraging residents to help keep denim out of the landfill by participating in MOM's Organic Market Annual Denim Drive, now through this coming Sunday, June 13^th. This drive accepts all types of denim including jeans, jackets, shirts, skirts and colored, embellished and/or printed and helps prevent about three to four pounds of CO2 per pound of denim from entering the atmosphere. Click HERE to learn more about this program and other recycling programs available at MOM's.

Remember! Used clothing and shoes are always accepted at the Residents' Convenience Center at Alpha Ridge Landfill.

REMINDER: The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has begun a project to improve the roadway surface of MD 103 between MD 104 and Long Gate Parkway in Ellicott City. The work will take place Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and weather permitting, is expected to be complete by July.

For more information about this project, click HERE and/or contact SHA at 410-545-0303.

Additionally, SHA has also begun a resurfacing project on MD 32 at Dorsey Run Road in Annapolis Junction, to improve the driving surface, enhance safety on the roadway and the exit ramps and upgrade area drainage by installing new underdrains. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by the end of this year.  

For more information about this project, click HERE and/or contact SHA at 410-545-0303.

Beginning on or about today, June 7^th, our Department of Recreation & Parks will close the parking lot at Haviland Mill Park in Clarksville to allow for work to begin on the loop trail. The closure of the parking lot is necessary to allow for contractor vehicles to safely access the trail during construction. Improvements to the loop trail will begin at the edge of the parking lot and will include sections of elevated board walk, natural surface trail and crib wall. Once complete, the trail will provide visitors a universal accessible route to view the Patuxent River from an observational platform. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed in late fall, early winter 2021.

To learn more about this project and other Howard County construction projects, check out the County’s Construction Project Interactive Map.

For questions or concerns about this project, please contact Jason Thompson with Recreation & Parks at 410-313-4031 or email jthompson@howardcountymd.gov.

In addition to the opening of its new playground, Recreation & Parks has also updated its COVID-19 capacity limitations for its facilities and programs. Recreation & Parks Gary J. Arthur, North Laurel and Roger Carter Community Centers, Robinson Nature Center, B&O Ellicott City Station Museum, Meadowbrook Athletic Complex, Firehouse Museum, Patapsco Female Institute, Ellicott City Colored School Restored, Worthington Dog Park, park pavilions, parks and outdoor programs are all open at 100 percent capacity without restrictions. Additionally, the Belmont Manor & Historic Park, Waverly Mansion and Kiwanis-Wallas Hall are also open, but by appointment only. Outdoor tournaments at Recreation & Park facilities may also resume at 100 percent capacity without restrictions.

Each team will receive their race instructions by 7:00 p.m., next Friday, June 18^th, which will include a list of items that must be found and challenging tasks that must be performed within a specified time limit. As this scavenger hunt is meant to be fun for all, all tasks may be adapted as needed to accommodate accessibility. Team entries must all be submitted by midnight Sunday, June 20^th. To register, click HERE. For questions and/or more information, please contact Ms. Karen Bradley Ehler at kehler@howardcountymd.gov.