I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the recently lifted restrictions that had been imposed by the COVID-19 state of emergency. In recent weeks, both indoor and outdoor dining have opened under specific guidelines and additional openings are scheduled over the coming weeks.
Up-to-date announcements regarding the state of emergency and reopening guidance in Howard County can be found
here.
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Please share our newsletter and encourage others to sign up so they can also know what’s happening around the community.
David Yungmann
Howard County Council, District 5
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It’s been a few weeks since the County Council approved the operating and capital budgets for Fiscal Year 2021. In addition to the normal budget challenges we face every year, the economic downturn and long-term uncertainty from COVID shutdowns added to this year’s challenge of projecting revenue and approving appropriate spending levels.
We received the two budgets from the County Executive in April, after the economy was in lockdown and unemployment was spiking. The state was estimating a potential $2.8 billion revenue hit, which was expected to severely impact state support of local governments. Yet the County Executive’s operating budget proposed over 2% growth in spending, and the capital budget called for borrowing 35% more than was recommended by our Spending Affordability Commission. Much of these spending increases were to be funded by two significant tax/fee increases.
Three of us on the Council came together to reduce spending in both budgets, defeat one tax increase and reduce another tax increase (which I opposed). Some non-priority capital projects were postponed, and vacant positions were frozen/eliminated, but basic government services and functions remain fully funded despite these more responsible spending decisions. Notably, funding to the school system will increase 2% in FY21 and its priority capital projects continue to advance. Full versions of both approved budgets will be posted on the county website shortly.
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Howard County’s primary governing document is its Charter, which is reviewed periodically through a public process to identify potential updates to be considered. Any change to the Charter would need County Council approval, after which it would become a ballot question posed to the voters for consideration. I have proposed the following for consideration by the Council:
- Councilmanic Redistricting Commission (CR-94). After each census, our council districts are adjusted by a seven-member commission. The members of that commission are currently appointed by the two major parties, leaving the thousands of unaffiliated voters without a voice. I’ve proposed that the Council appoint each member through a process that requires a unanimous vote for each to ensure that all seven members are acceptable to all 5 council members. I believe this will eliminate members with political motives and reduce the potential for gerrymandering.
- Revise Legislative Timeline (CR-96). There are currently 2 weeks between the introduction of a bill and the public hearing (almost 3 weeks after bill pre-filing). That leaves less than two weeks for additional public hearings, council work sessions and drafting of amendments. The result is a monthly fire drill rushing through the most important processes of the cycle. By moving hearings up a week, we will add a week to that period after hearings when the other work is completed.
- Executive Appointments (CR-98). The Chief Administrative Officer and Department Heads serve at the pleasure of the County Executive, who is currently able to appoint anyone to those positions in his or her sole discretion. My amendment will make those appointments subject to Council approval, which most importantly will involve a public process during which the resume, background and qualifications of the nominee can be discussed publicly.
- Budget Process (CR-100). This amendment will require the County Executive to submit the proposed operating and capital budgets to the Council by March 1 each year, providing the Council and Auditor 4-6 weeks of additional time to analyze the budget, hold hearings and work sessions and draft amendments before voting in late May.
- Executive Fiscal Impact Analyses (CR-102). Many of the bills and resolutions the Council considers are at the request of the County Executive. This amendment would require the Administration to perform a fiscal impact analysis for each piece of its legislation like what occurs at the state and federal levels. I believe this may lead to fewer bills that are very costly to taxpayers.
- Property Taxes (CR-103). I am proposing that any increase in the stated property tax rate be subject to voter referendum versus a simple majority vote of the Council.
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Please be sure to check the link to the full calendar for any date or time changes that may be necessary due to scheduling during the continued stay at home order.
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HCPSS Students and Teachers Recognized in U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.
Mount Hebron High School History Teacher Philip Herdman and Centennial High School Biology Teacher Jason Piluk are honored as Distinguished Teachers, as nominated by Tong and Meister respectively.
The Presidential Scholars Class of 2020 will be recognized for their outstanding achievement this summer as public health circumstances permit. A complete list of 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars is available at
http://www.ed.gov/psp
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Mt. Hebron wins dual Economics Challenge National Championship Second Time in a Row!
It is the second year in a row that Mt. Hebron has won the national championships in both the Adam Smith (AP/IB) and David Ricardo (non-AP/IB) divisions. No other team in the 20-year history of the elite competition has ever won both divisions.
Seniors Lorelei Loraine (Columbia ’24) and Wyatt Currie (U. Penn, Wharton, ’24) earned their second economics national championship and third appearance in the national top-three. Juniors Nick Snyder and Sudharsan Sundar won their second national championship in a row. Their winner-take-all quiz bowl round in the upper-division (“Adam Smith”) came down to the wire, hanging on a single question. Only Mt. Hebron got the right answer.
In the lower division (“David Ricardo”), sophomores Keith Lee, Saniya Mahate, Maiike Swaters, and freshman Sam Lieman dominated their quiz bowl round, winning handily over the opposition.
The competition typically takes place in New York City and is nationally televised. Due to the COVID lockdown, however, this year’s competition was entirely virtual. You can watch the virtual competition
here
. The students won gold medals, plaques, trophies, and $1,000 in prize money.
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HoCo
Farms Connect
***Farm Fresh Produce****
Turnip the Beet
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HoCo Farms Connect is a resource to connect residents to our local farms offering fresh farm products. We understand how critical our food supply is to combating this virus and the importance of supporting our farms during this challenging time.
A listing of local farms and pertinent information is included at
HoCo Farms Connect
.
If you would like your farm to be included, you can sign up online.
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COVID-19 Coronavirus County Government Updates and the Latest News
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