Disability Services
The Office of Disability Services strives to promote the self-sufficiency and well-being of people with disabilities through information, referral, advocacy and education. The goal of the Office is to serve as a critical link to a network of community services focused on ensuring that those living with disabilities who reside and/or work in Howard County have the supports they need to be successful.
Cable Administration
The Office of Cable Administration oversees the performance of cable providers in Howard County and the operation of the public access cable channel. The Office of Cable Administration advises the County Executive and the County Council on matters related to the cable operators.
Personnel Board
Provider Forum - Certificate of Need (CON) & Policy Workgroup
This workgroup monitors health policy developments and evaluates major capacity decisions, including Certificate of Need considerations, to provide timely, evidence-based recommendations to County leadership.
Provider Forum - Emergency and Acute Care Utilization Workgroup
This workgroup examines drivers of preventable emergency department use and hospital readmissions and recommends strategies to reduce unnecessary acute care utilization.
Provider Forum - Health Workforce Workgroup
This workgroup assesses healthcare workforce capacity and well-being and recommends strategies to strengthen and sustain Howard County’s health workforce.
Provider Forum - Access and Navigation Workgroup
This workgroup is responsible for identifying barriers to health care access and recommending strategies to improve how Howard County residents navigate and receive primary and preventive care.
Office of the Local Children's Board
The Office of the Local Children’s Board (LCB) is committed to creating equitable services and opportunities to improve the lives of Howard County children, youth, and families. The Office seeks to increase inclusiveness, awareness and access to affordable and quality behavioral health care while coordinating resources to meet the needs of the community.
Fire and Rescue Services
We are a combination system of nearly 900 career and volunteer providers operating from 13 stations across Howard County.
Howard County Planning Group to Plan America's 250th Anniversary
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball signed an Executive Order establishing a Howard County planning group to organize a celebration in honor of the U.S.’s 250th anniversary in July 2026.
Economic Competitiveness and Opportunity Now (ECON) Task Force
On March 17, 2025, County Executive Ball signed Executive Order 2025-03 to establish the Economic Competitiveness and Opportunity Now, or “ECON,” Task Force. Comprised of government officials, business leaders, and education partners, the ECON Task Force will develop a comprehensive economic resiliency and competitiveness plan to guide Howard County’s winning economic strategy now and through the next decade.
Youth Engagement Strategies (YES!) Council
YES! is a focused effort to align organizations and groups across the County who are doing youth-focused work—especially in mentorship, conflict resolution, economic mobility, and programming.
Provider Forum - Behavioral Health Workgroup
This workgroup evaluates behavioral health service capacity and access and recommends strategies to improve coordination and outcomes for individuals with behavioral health conditions.
Office of Law
The Office of Law provides legal representation and advice to Howard County and its offices, departments, boards, commissions, and other agencies in an expeditious and professional manner. Pursuant to the Howard County Charter, the Office of Law does not advise or represent private citizens.
New Town Task Force
The Task Force will evaluate and provide recommendations on how to carry forward New Town's planned community framework.
Sheriff's Office
The Howard County Sheriff's Office has been in existence and serving the citizens of Howard County since 1851. The Sheriff's Office offers a broad range of law enforcement services, such as Judicial Security, Summons Service, Warrant Service & Fugitive Retrieval, Domestic Violence Service & Assistance, Prisoner Transportation, and Landlord/Tenant Services.
Public Information
The Office of Public Information guarantees that residents, employees and the public at-large, are kept accurately informed of county government services, activities and programs in a timely, effective and efficient manner.
Finance
The Finance Department ensures that the County’s financial resources are collected, protected, invested and distributed in a fiscally responsible manner, and provides optimal financial services to a wide range of constituents, including citizens, taxpayers, businesses, agencies and County employees.
Budget Office
The Budget Office proposes spending levels to the County Executive based on revenue and expenditure analyses to ensure a balanced budget; prepares special management and financial reports, and monitors the purchasing, personnel and other spending requests of all county government agencies.