The Howard County Commission on Disabilities presented Howard County Executive Calvin Ball with its “2019 Report on the Status of People with Disabilities in Howard County.” Available online at www.howardcountymd.gov/ADA, the report outlines the Commission’s findings and recommends actions the county should take to improve its response to issues that concern people with disabilities.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball released his Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) Operating Budget for Howard County Government. Projected General Fund revenue growth is modest, partly due to uncertainty around a potential economic downturn. Despite this challenge, the budget fully supports the community’s priorities, including the most funding ever provided to the Howard County Public School System, stronger public safety, improved health, a cleaner environment, reliable infrastructure, prosperous businesses, and an innovative, efficient government.

Howard County’s Department of Recreation & Parks is seeking independent contractors to instruct adult educational and recreational classes and programs in a variety of disciplines. Deadline to apply is Monday, May 13, 2019. 

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced Phase 2 of his Ellicott City ‘Safe and Sound Plan’ during a press conference on Main Street. This phase will include public input on five, potential flood mitigation options, before a final decision is made in May. Each of the proposed plans would prioritize public safety and, based on the model runs, keep more water off Main Street than the previous 5-year plan.

The County’s Department of Public Works will hold a public meeting on Thursday, May 2, to present plans for a Wood Creek stream stabilization project. Like many streams in the area, this stream has been impacted by stormwater and has eroded. Construction is scheduled to begin in winter 2019.  

A Howard County construction project to install a roundabout at the intersection of Columbia Road, Kingscup Court and Hemlock Cone Way in Columbia is scheduled to begin on or about Monday, April 22. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by early June.

On Wednesday, April 17th, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will announce Phase 2 of his Ellicott City ‘Safe and Sound Plan.’

Howard County’s Department of Public Works will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, May 1, to present the plans to repair the Cherrytree Farms stormwater management pond adjacent to 8411 Sand Cherry Lane in Laurel. The project will include safety and maintenance upgrades to the pond, as well as increase pollutant load reduction. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2020.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball’s Public Calendar for the week of April 13 to April 19, 2019.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will now announce Phase 2 of his Ellicott City “Safe and Sound” flood mitigation and public safety plan on Wednesday April 17, 2019 at 11:30 AM at Su Casa (8307 Main St, Ellicott City, MD 21043). The date was moved to respect the memorial service for Maryland Speaker of the House Michael Busch.

Public meeting to present plans to complete stream restorations on three portions of Rockburn Branch, a tributary to the Patapsco River. Like many steams in the area, these portions have been heavily impacted by stormwater and have eroded significantly.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball seeks two residents interested in serving on the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board, which provides impartial oversight of the care and services provided to individuals under public guardianship and makes a recommendation to the court as to whether the public guardianship should be continued, modified or terminated. 

Howard County’s Department of Public Works will hold a public meeting on Thursday, May 2 to present project plans for repair work on the Autumn Manor stormwater management pond, located at the intersection of Fall Chill Court and Autumn Rust in Ellicott City. The project will also improve water quality treatment of stormwater and functionality and maintainability of the stormwater management system. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2019.

The Howard County Human Rights Commission has announced that Frank V. Eastham Jr., Dou Alvin Zhang, MD, PhD and Howard County Voices For Change (V4C) are the recipients of the 2019 Human Rights Award. 

County Executive Ball announced today that the 2020 state capital budget includes $3.4 million in funds for Ellicott City’s Safe and Sound plan.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball held a 2019 “Year of the Veteran” celebration today at Howard Community College to connect veterans and military families with services and opportunities. The event included free medical and dental screenings and collected over 100 donated suits and accessories to assist veterans in need of professional attire.

Howard County Government offices, 50+ centers and the animal shelter will be closed in observance of the Good Friday holiday on Friday, April 19. However, the courts and the Alpha Ridge Landfill will be open and regular trash, recycling, food scrap and yard trim services will be in effect. 

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has issued the following statement on the passing of Maryland House Speaker Michael Busch.

The Howard County Council passed legislation (CB8-2019), filed by County Executive Calvin Ball, to repeal the mobile home tax in Howard County. An estimated 1,100 county mobile home residents previously paid an average of $45 a month in mobile home taxes. The repeal will be effective on the start of the new fiscal year, July 1, 2019.

Today, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball accepted a grant for $150,240 from the 2020 Census Grant Program Panel at the Maryland Department of Planning. The grant funds will go to census outreach efforts, ensuring every resident completes their census form and is counted in 2020.

On Thursday, April 25, the County’s Department of Public Works will hold a public meeting to present the final plans for the Mayfield Manor pond repair project. Construction is expected to begin in late summer or early fall 2019.

To increase awareness and understanding for those living with autism, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has directed the county government to observe World Autism Day today, April 2nd.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is seeking adult and student applicants interested in serving on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 3, 2019.