March 2024 Newsletter

Greetings!

As many are aware, Howard County is facing budgetary shortfalls. Because of this, the Howard County Public School System Board of Education's Proposed Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) budget includes numerous changes. Since the Superintendent's Proposed FY25 Budget was announced, I have received many emails from students, parents, and teachers expressing their concerns with the budget. I thank everyone for sharing their thoughts about the budget process, and as a parent of two children in HCPSS schools, I share many of the same concerns. As your Councilwoman and neighbor, I want to share background on the budgetary challenges the County is facing and ensure we are sharing accurate information.

In 2016, the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education (also referred to as the Kirwin Commission) was created by the State to analyze and assess Maryland’s pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education system and funding formulas. The Commission was tasked with making policy recommendations to ensure Maryland’s students could continue achieving at high levels and become successful adults. After three years of researching and evaluating best practices in education that could be applied in Maryland, their final report was released in 2020. Then, the General Assembly passed the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future by 2022. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future requires all school systems in the State to evaluate and change how they deliver educational services to our children and requires each school system to fund their State mandates first, before any additional spending.

Our current budget discussion for HCPSS has been more than eight years in the making. I feel confident that Acting Superintendent Barnes is prepared and ready to figure out how we can meet the demands of the State and the needs of our children. These will not be easy discussions and there are no easy choices facing the Board of Education, the County, and the State.

County and State revenues (the funds available for the operating budgets) have slowed significantly and federal pandemic relief funds have expired, so thoughtful deliberation must occur on how to move forward. The Howard County Spending Affordability Advisory Committee (SAAC) recently released their FY25 Report. Due to decreased revenues, the SAAC recommends the County operating budget expenditures stay within a 3.7% increase for FY25. However, current expenditure growth requests represent more than double the projected revenue growth for FY25, including a 6.7% increase in County spending for the Board of Education. This increase alone is almost double what is being recommended by the SAAC for the entire County budget. I encourage you to read the County Executive’s most recent correspondence to the Board of Education to gain a deeper understanding of these budgetary challenges.

Last week, the Board of Education approved their FY25 budget request. This request includes the Superintendent's FY25 Proposed Budget of $1.13 billion ($761 million in total County funding) and Scenario D restorations (an additional $8.2 million). Some of the restorations include funding 3rd grade strings and GT programming for Title 1 elementary schools and preventing class size increases for elementary schools. The Board of Education's budget is $55.2 million over maintenance of effort funding (a calculation set forth by the State, which this year requires $714.6 million of County funding). Last year, the Board of Education received a total budget of $1.1 billion, which included $721 million in County funding.

Currently, the County Executive is reviewing the Board of Education's budget. During this phase of the process, the Executive can place funding within State mandated categories. Testimony can be shared with the County Executive by emailing budgettestimony@howardcountymd.gov. More information about the County’s budget process can be found here.

After reviewing the budgets, the County Executive will then submit them to the County Council. The Capital Budget (physical buildings, roadwork, stormwater management structures, etc.) for FY25 will go to the County Council on April 1st and the Operating Budget (operations and personnel) for FY25 will be distributed on April 21st. There will be several opportunities for the public to submit testimony. Information about the Council’s budget process and a calendar of work sessions, public hearings, and the budget adoption session can be found here.

Please be aware that the County Council is only authorized to cut funding from the County Executive’s proposed budget for County services to send to the Board of Education. The County must also comply with State mandates outside of education and must fund those items through the remaining funds.

As you can see, this is a challenging situation, and difficult decisions will need to be made. We must implement long-term solutions that will generate the dollars needed to fund our schools at the levels necessary to support both the pillars of the Blueprint and the local priorities for Howard County. I want to thank everyone who has contacted my office. Your willingness and desire to engage in the democratic process is encouraging and inspiring.

Yours in service,

Christiana Rigby (she/her)

Councilwoman, District 3

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March 15, 2024

February Legislation Wrap-Up

On March 4th, the County Council convened for our March Legislative Session. The Council took action on several pieces of legislation were introduced, including the following:

CR19-2024: A resolution adopting a permit fee for the Publicly Accessible Electric Scooter Sharing System. This bill passed in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

CB8-2024: An act amending the process for approving waivers which allow for alternative compliance to protections of wetlands, streams, and steep slopes; requiring the Departments that grant the waivers to adhere to certain requirements; and generally relating to the alternative compliance for protection of wetlands, streams, and steep slopes. The bill failed in a 2-3 vote. Introduced by Councilmember Liz Walsh.

CB9-2024: An act amending the Public Protection Services title of the Code to require Motor Vehicle Fueling Station operators to add the highest price on their fuel pricing signs; and generally relating to Motor Vehicle Fueling Stations. This bill passed in a 4-1 vote. Introduced by Councilwoman Christiana Rigby and Co-sponsored by Councilmember Dr. Jones and Councilmember Jung.

March Legislation

New legislation was introduced at the March 4th Legislative Session, including:

CB13-2024: An act establishing the Trap-Neuter-Return program for community cats, specifying the purpose and administration of the program, defining certain terms; and generally relating to the Trap-Neuter-Return program. Introduced by Councilmember Deb Jung.

At the upcoming Public Hearing on March 18th at 7:00 PM, residents can offer testimony on this legislation. The legislation will be up for a vote at the Council's Legislative Session on April 1st at 7:00 PM.

VIEW COUNCIL LEGISLATION

TESTIFY AT A PUBLIC HEARING

VIEW COUNCIL CALENDAR

Community News, Events, and Updates

Share Your Input: New Central Branch Library

Howard County Government and its design consultant, Arcadis, are soliciting community feedback about how a new, future Howard County Library System (HCLS) Central Branch can best benefit Downtown Columbia and all of Howard County.

I encourage all residents to provide their feedback on the future of our Central Branch library in our online survey.

In addition, the County is hosting community meetings:

Saturday, March 16th from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, In-Person at HCC’s Galleria
Thursday, March 21st at 6:00 PM, Virtually. To register to join this virtual meeting, click here.

For questions regarding this public engagement process, please email HCLibrary@arcadis.com or visit the website.

HCC Rental Assistance

County Executive Ball recently announced a new rental assistance program for Howard County Community students. Through a partnership with the Columbia Housing Center, HCC students who meet income requirements will be eligible for a rental subsidy.

Our County and State face a housing crisis and many of our neighbors are housing insecure. This program supports our goals to reducing housing burdens and supporting students.

Learn more about the HCC Rental Assistance Program and apply for the subsidy at the Columbia Housing Center website.

Savage Mill Community Blood Drive

Savage Mill is hosting two blood drives for the American Red Cross on Wednesday, March 20th and June 19th from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Trans Day of Visibility Celebration

Celebrate Trans Day of Visibility with the Office of Human Rights and Equity and the LGBTQIA+ Commission. On Sunday, March 31st at 4:00 PM at Busboys and Poets in Columbia, the County is hosting their first-ever Trans Day of Visibility Celebration. This event features a talent show, open mic, great food and opportunities for community connection, and aims to bring together our local trans community to elevate trans voices.

GreenFest

The County's 17th annual GreenFest celebration will be held on Saturday, April 13th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Howard Community College. This year's event features a compost bin demonstration and giveaways, native plant sale, used sports equipment collection, light bulb exchange, the Repair Café, and more.

Learn more about this event by visiting the Office of Community Sustainability's website.

Become an Election Judge

Howard County is looking for Election Judges! If you are 16 or older, a registered voter in Maryland, then you are eligible to become an Election Judge. Election Judges get the unique opportunity to have direct involvement with the election process.

Judges are paid, must work a 15-hour day, and should be able lift boxes up to 25 lbs.

District 3 Business Spotlight

In this section of the newsletter, I'm excited to share one of the many amazing small businesses in District 3. If your business would like to be featured here, please email me at crigby@howardcountymd.gov.

Indigo & Ivy Farm

A continuous flow of special little treats is something Indigo & Ivy Farm delights in creating each day on its suburban flower micro-farm nestled in historic Savage. As the owner of Indigo & Ivy Farm, Monica McColm grows specialty cut flowers for bouquet subscriptions, arrangements for everyday celebrations, and bespoke wedding floral design.

As a grower and designer, Monica's clients are drawn to her regenerative growing practices and elevated design work that follows sustainable floristry standards. Clients enjoy a personal connection with her, whether it’s an arranged tour of Indigo & Ivy’s production beds and greenhouse or catching up on a client’s family at pick up.

Just as farm to table dining experiences invite us to enjoy mindfully curated and prepared cuisine, Monica and her team at Indigo & Ivy bring locally grown and sustainably designed florals to clients looking for life’s special and unique floral treats.

Explore their seasonal offerings and design services via Indigo & Ivy Farm’s website www.indigoivyfarm.com or follow them on Instagram or Facebook @indigoivyfarm.

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!

KC CARES Environmental Town Hall

This week, I joined the Office of Community Sustainability's Administrator, Tim Lattimer, to speak with Kings Contrivance Community Action and Resources for Environmental Stewardship (KC CARES). They wanted to learn more about the legislative process, opportunities for engagement, and the County's efforts to mitigate climate change. My presentation can be viewed here.

In Howard County, our legislative cycle lasts one month with introduction and final consideration occurring on the first Monday of each month, a public hearing on the third Monday, and a work session in the fourth week of the month. The Council is in recess for August and December, so no legislation is considered during this time. Past and current legislation can be found at cc.howardcountymd.gov, using the legislation tab on the menu.

Since we operate on a monthly cycle, there is at least one opportunity each month for residents to testify at a public hearing. Testimony must be for specific legislation. We also accept written testimony all month long. This can be emailed directly to specific a Council Member or sent to the whole Council at councilmail@howardcountymd.gov.

Last year, the Council passed Howard County Climate Forward, the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan. This plan outlines the County's climate goals and actionable steps to achieve them. And the plan comes with an added measure of transparency! Visit the Climate Forward website to monitor the County's progress on each of the climate actions and to read the plan.

In terms of individual action to mitigate climate change, there is so much each of us can do reduce our impacts. Waste diversion, reducing the use of single use items, and electrifying when possible are great ways to start behavior change. If you have access to the County's Green Bin Composting services, please compost! Reducing our methane emissions are hugely impactful. Any work we can do on the individual and system levels helps.

I want to give a major thanks to KC CARES, Kate Reilly, and Heidi Schweingruber for bringing us all together and cultivating a safe space for learning. KC CARES is a great example of the grassroots advocacy work we all can engage in to make our communities cleaner and greener.