Howard County Executive Ball’s Impactful Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Earns Bipartisan, Unanimous Approval, Making Historic Investments in Education, Infrastructure, Public Safety, and More

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball’s impactful $2.5 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Operating Budget was today unanimously approved in a bipartisan vote by the Howard County Council. This balanced spending plan prioritizes Howard County’s shared values and core needs, without increasing property or income taxes for residents and while navigating emerging fiscal challenges. In addition, the County Council also voted to approve Ball’s carefully crafted $435.6 million FY 2027 Capital Budget, providing critical resources for education, community facilities, public safety, flood control, infrastructure maintenance, transportation, and more.

“Over the past years, the County Council and Administration have worked tirelessly to balance the immediate needs of our residents with the long-term investments necessary to strengthen our County, and I am delighted to approve the FY27 budget,” said Dr. Opel Jones, County Council Chairperson. “This budget reflects our commitment to moving Howard County forward in an intentional and financially responsible way. From supporting our schools and public safety professionals to investing in infrastructure, health, and community services, this budget continues the meaningful work to improve and enhance the quality of life for all residents. I am honored to approve my last budget, and I do so with immense pride in what we have accomplished together and tremendous hope for the future of Howard County.”

“Budgets are ultimately about values and priorities. This budget continues important investments in education, public safety, infrastructure, community facilities, transportation, and critical services that residents rely on every day. It supports projects and programs that will have a meaningful impact across our community,” said Christiana Rigby, Howard County Council Vice Chairperson. “I remain deeply appreciative of the thoughtful work that went into building this budget and the dedication of the public servants who make Howard County function every day. This process is never easy because the needs in our community are real, and every dollar represents competing priorities that matter deeply to residents. Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s budget process and to all of the County employees who continue serving our community.”

Education

The approved Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) FY 2027 budget of more than $1.28 billion in funding exceeds the State-mandated Maintenance of Effort funding by $60.8 million. This funding increase builds upon substantial funding commitments made by Ball during his time in office. Since FY 2019, recurring County funding support for HCPSS has grown by nearly 50 percent.

Additionally, this operating funds 99.3 percent of the Board of Education’s (BOE) funding request in FY 2027, demonstrating the County’s strong commitment to stretch resources to support the BOE’s priorities. In partnership with Superintendent Barnes and the Board of Education, HCPSS is expected to cover the remaining 0.7% through the use of HCPSS General Fund Balance, ensuring that the BOE’s priorities are fully met in the year ahead.

Ball’s original proposed budget directed nearly two thirds of total revenue growth in the County General Fund to direct spending on HCPSS services, which comprises $77 million in new resources or 66.1 percent of total new funding. This allocation of new revenue includes use of $14.5 million to replenish one-time funding included in Ball’s FY 2026 Operating Budget for on-going expenditures in HCPSS’s base (Council Bill 45-2025), as well as new costs shifted to the County budget from the State for HCPSS educators’ pension liabilities ($2.6 million increase in FY27; $9.3 million total) and funding for private pre-K local match ($2.9 million). This move represents the significant commitment from the County to maximize support to HCPSS.

The approved Capital Budget fully funds the Board of Education’s request of $116.6 million in local and state funding to create the best teaching and learning environment for students and educators. This budget prioritizes safety, critical infrastructure, deferred maintenance, and school capacity across many HCPSS educational facilities, including:

• $52.2 million to support various renovations and address maintenance needs across the school system, including HVAC replacements, lab maintenance, athletic needs, air quality, special education needs, security measures, and more;
• $16.8 million to address new electrical, mechanical, plumbing, technology, roofing, and life safety systems at Oakland Mills Middle School, and the addition of 195 seats to expand the school’s capacity;
• $5 million to renovate Dunloggin Middle School’s existing facility and expand its educational program space by adding 136 seats to the school;
• $6.5 million to address deferred maintenance at Patapsco Middle School based on the facility condition index and to meet capacity and programmatic needs;
• $5.3 million to plan and construct a new elementary school – Elementary School #43, adding 490 new seats in the county’s southeast area;
• $6.2 million to address roof replacement and maintenance across educational facilities;
• $6.8 million for information technology investments and parking enhancements.

Community College and Libraries

The FY 2027 Operating Budget includes $1.4 million to Howard Community College (HCC), fully funding HCC’s request to support operational, curricular, and co-curricular needs. This three percent funding increase to HCC ensures the college continues to provide a quality education to learners of all ages in Howard County. The approved Capital Budget also directs $3 million in County funding to address deferred maintenance and other systemic renovation needs. The budget also advances the construction of the new Cathy and Danny Bell Workforce Development and Trades Center at HCC. Combined with $11 million in prior County appropriation, construction on this vital project is progressing rapidly with additional support of $2.1 million in state aid and $3.3 million in HCC funding.

The approved FY 2027 Operating Budget provides a $1.7 million funding increase for the Howard County Library System (HCLS), providing full funding for HCLS negotiated agreements and staffing needs in the year ahead. The Capital Budget fully funds the HCLS FY 2027 Capital request, including $7.5 million in anticipated State and federal funds for conceptual design and land acquisition for its new Central Branch at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront.

Community and County Facilities

The approved budget contains significant investment in community facilities and amenities, including:

• $33.8 million in new funding for the new Elkridge Community and 50+ Center located in the Elkridge Civic District
• $13 million in redirected savings to support key community amenities in Elkridge, including new Community Garden Plots and a new state-of-the-art Multi-Sport Athletic Facility;
• $3.5 million for the design of the first-ever County-owned ice rinks at Meadowbrook Athletic Complex in Ellicott City; and
• Funding to support Phase 2 of The Capitoline Center in Ellicott City, which will advance the planned relocation of the County’s successful Roving Radish program, shared kitchen space, and exterior renovations and site work to the historic courthouse complex.

Flood Control, Infrastructure, and Technology

The Capital Budget includes $39.2 million to continue implementing elements of his comprehensive Ellicott City Safe and Sound Plan. This includes a $23 million low-interest State Revolving Loan for the North Tunnel, a $10 million low-interest State Revolving Loan for Pond T-1, a $4.2 million grant for the Maryland Avenue Culverts, and a $2 million grant for the Safe and Sound project. The budget also includes $1 million in funding for vulnerable watershed restoration and resiliency throughout the county, specifically targeting neighborhoods experiencing localized drainage issues.

The budget also allocates $14.8 million in County funding to maintain and upgrade the deteriorating outlet structures of many of Howard County’s existing stormwater management ponds. Out of the 187 ponds in Howard County, 63 are rated in critical condition, requiring an investment of nearly $13 million a year to address seven to eight ponds annually. This work will make the ponds safer and more resilient in the face of global climate change.

Moreover, to keep up with the growing demands on the County’s Department of Public Works (DPW) water delivery, sewer collection, and metropolitan district distribution systems, the Capital Budget contains approximately $50.9 million in funding for maintenance, upgrades, and operational needs, including:

• $13.7 million for the water asset management program;
• $6.6 million for the sewer asset management program;
• $5.1 million to support the program for upgrades to various water and wastewater facilities; and
• $24 million to support maintenance, operation, and upgrades at the Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant

The budget also includes $1.5 million to support DPW’s Service Line Stewardship Program to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s latest Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.

Finally, the budget dedicates $11 million toward technology modernization and infrastructure projects to ensure the County’s information technology (IT) systems remain secure, stable, resilient, and up to date. This includes:

• A $2 million investment in constituent management technologies to modernize user experiences incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including the buildout of the Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits new AI permitting platform;
• $1 million for the upkeep of the County’s fiber network;
• $1 million for public safety radio enhancements;
• $4.6 million for enterprise resource planning;
• $600,000 for additional public safety support; and
• $1.5 million for other IT system needs

Transportation

The FY 2027 Operating Budget also prioritizes transportation needs and infrastructure by reinstating partial year funding for a road maintenance crew position in DPW and continues critical funding for road treatment and snow removal during major weather events. It also funds key transportation projects, including:

• More than $12 million in one-time funds to support transportation-related capital projects, including $10.2 million for road resurfacing and $2 million for sidewalk and multimodal projects;
• $157,000 to extend the existing RTA Route 409-bus service along the Route One Corridor from Elkridge to Lansdowne in Baltimore County, providing a more direct connection to MTA MARC service at Halethorpe; and
• A $200,000 one-time grant to the Columbia Association to provide improvements to an existing pathway from Harpers Farm Road to Swansfield Waterpark, saving an estimated $1 million in County funds in the capital budget.

To ensure that Howard County’s transportation network is accessible and reliable, the Capital Budget includes $12.5 million to support the continued implementation of Pedestrian Master Plan, Bicycle Master Plan, and Complete Streets Policy infrastructure across the county. This funding supports various multimodal projects along Guilford Road, Montgomery Road, Cedar Lane, Tamar Drive, and US 1, which feature the installation of crosswalks, sidewalks, and/or shared-use pathways. The funding also supports the establishment of a new capital project for North Laurel Complete Streets to coordinate multimodal improvements across the North Laurel area and commits $500,000 to enhance and improve connections along school walking routes.

The budget also allocates funding to support the design and construction of bus stations for Montgomery County’s extension of its Flash Bus Rapid Transit service along the US 29 corridor in Howard County, and other passenger amenities and access improvements at 50 Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland bus stops.

Finally, the budget includes more than $10 million in County PAYGO funding to address pavement preservation and roadway resurfacing needs along County owned and maintained roadways to ensure the County can effectively maintain its aging roadway network.

Public Safety

The approved FY 2027 Operating Budget includes $172.1 million for the Howard County Police Department (HCPD), reflecting an increase of $9.3 million increase to ongoing staffing needs and services that will increase community engagement and systemic enhancements. This historic total level of funding for HCPD builds upon prior efforts to add 24 new patrol positions to HCPD, which was the largest increase in sworn personnel in 15 years.

The budget also includes $168.9 million in funding for the Department of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS), reflecting an increase of $5.6 million that supports staffing and equipment to ensure effective emergency response. DFRS’ budget also includes a $2.6 million one-time transfer to capital projects, with $500,000 allocated for rural cisterns and $2 million to begin construction of Fire Station 15.

In addition, the Office of the State’s Attorney for Howard County will receive half-year funding for a new position in its Juvenile Crimes section and $20,000 to reclassify four Victim Witness Advocate positions appropriately. The Howard County Sheriff's Office will receive $271,000 in partial year funding to create four new deputy sheriff positions to improve courthouse safety and $378,000 in one-time funds for vehicles for the new positions. Moreover, the State’s Circuit Court for Howard County will receive half-year funding for both a new court reporter and juvenile case manager and the Department of Corrections will collect funding for four new correctional officer positions.

Finally, the Capital Budget includes:

• $600,000 for public safety system enhancements to support HCPD’s Computed Aided Dispatch system, real time information center, and other public safety hardware and applications;
• $2 million to support DFRS’s new Station 15, located at HCPSS’s Central office property off MD 108, for which construction is slated to begin in FY27;
• $4.5 million to support land acquisition efforts for DFRS Station 16 in western Ellicott City;
• $500,000 towards the DFRS’s rural fire protection program;
• Continued systemic improvements of existing DFRS stations;
• Building designs to transform the former State Armory in Ellicott City into DFRS’s new headquarters, as well as supporting future equipment storage needs;
• $1.3 million for continued renovations to the Howard County’s Detention Center; and
• $1.9 million for overall systemic public safety improvements, including U.S. Digital and CCTV upgrades at various fire stations, various system upgrades, deferred maintenance, and other miscellaneous repairs at County fire or police stations.

Community Health

The approved Operational Budget contains $5 million in one-time funds to support Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Observation Unit expansion with the emergency department. This funding fulfills Ball’s $15 million commitment to help create a 29-bed observation unit to reduce wait times and improve care.

Additionally, this budget includes:

• $200,000 to bolster support for Grassroots Crisis Intervention’s 24/7 Mobile Crisis Team for mental health and psychiatric emergencies and to enhance coordination across agencies.
• Approximately $3.1 million in Opioid Restitution Funds to add two additional peer recovery specialists, support Sheppard Pratt’s residential treatment center, and expand programming at Tuerk House’s Highland House, Howard County’s only halfway house for pregnant women.
• $691,000 in one-time funds to boost Howard County Health Department’s maternal and infant health program, support its community health worker pilot program, and expand its school-based wellness programs.  
• $275,000 for a menstrual equality program in all County-owned public facing buildings.
• $200,000 to expand the County’s Department of Recreation & Parks’ Automated External Defibrillator program.

Business and Nonprofit Support

The approved Operating Budget includes $1.1 million in one-time funds to the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) to support various business and expansion programs, including: 

• $300,000 for Gateway Innovation Fund to provide matching capital to private investment;
• $250,000 for the Activation for Community Transformation Loan Fund to reduce commercial vacancies and strengthen the vitality of Howard County village and strip centers;
• $250,000 for the Main Street Revitalization Program to provide small capital improvement grants to main street businesses in Elkridge and Ellicott City;
• $200,000 incentives for current restaurant park properties to install improvements;
• $100,000 for scholarships for Howard County startups to participate in specialized bootcamps and cohorts;
• $20,000 in grants for local businesses to improve their export capabilities; and
• Funding for new position at HCEDA’s premier business incubator and accelerator, the Maryland Innovation Center, and a part-time underwriter position to help manage HCEDA business loans.

Additionally, funding is provided to the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) for an apprenticeship coordinator position previously funded through American Rescue Plan Act funds and the creation of a new position to support the office’s career counseling and other workforce services. The budget also features $250,000 in one-time funds for emerging workforce development initiatives not covered by grant programs, including continued workforce support for impacted federal workers.

Furthermore, the budget includes $350,000 to expand OWD’s Summer Youth Employment Program to 360 students, providing workforce opportunities for students, with an emphasis on students who are economically disadvantaged or navigating a significant barrier.

Environmental Protection and Agricultural Initiatives

Ball’s efforts to increase Howard County’s energy independence, strengthen climate resilience, and promote agriculture have been a hallmark of his more than seven years as Howard County Executive. To continue supporting these long-term sustainability measures, this Operating Budget includes creation of the Clean Energy and Community Sustainability Fund. This fund will allow for the lasting operations and maintenance of County-owned solar projects, as well as the initiation, promotion, and management of other renewable energy, climate mitigation, and resiliency efforts on County properties and within the greater community.

The budget also includes:

• Half-year funding for a new position to support the Office of Community Sustainability’s CleanScapes Program and another position in DPW to help with watershed restoration and rehabilitation efforts.
• $240,000 in PAYGO funds to support one-time costs for various sustainability and energy independence initiatives consistent with the County’s HOWARD COUNTY CLIMATE FORWARD: Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, including replacing gas-powered landscaping equipment;
• $100,000 in one-time funding to fund EcoWorks’ capital costs on top of $500,000 on-going funding to support its various environmental services and workforce development programs;
• $60,000 in one-time funds to support Power52’s workforce development pilot program focused on updating workforce training with new technological advancements in renewable energy;
• $520,000 in one-time funding to support tree planting and giveaways, and other environmental preservation projects; and
• $350,000 to support the County’s Department of Recreation & Parks’ hazardous tree removal.

Additionally, the approved Capital Budget includes $9.2 million in County funding for energy management improvements to promote energy independence and efficiency, including $4.7 million to leverage $4.5 million in anticipated grants, energy rebates, and Internal Revenue Service Elective Pay to continue various energy efficiency projects, such as new geothermal heating and cooling systems and energy efficient equipment to replace aging systems. The budget also allocates $14 million toward the construction of community solar projects on County properties, including one solar array on a former landfill and four new solar carports over parking lots.

The budget also pledges an additional $100,000 investment in the Agricultural Innovation and Expansion Grants program and sustained funding of $122,000 for marketing grants and $500,000 for enhanced agricultural grants, to support the County’s Office of Agriculture (OoA). In addition, the budget also includes funding to support the introduction of OoA’s new countywide education initiative, The Farmer’s Circle, to strengthen farm visibility and awareness.

Housing and Community Services

This approved Operating Budget includes more than $10 million to support homeownership initiatives, housing rehabilitation, affordable housing, and homelessness prevention programs, reflecting the County’s continued commitment to fostering mixed-income communities and long-term stability for all residents. This includes:

• $2.1 million for homeownership programs;
• $2 million for the Right of First Refusal program;
• $1 million for the creation and preservation of units in a new, mixed-income rental community;
• $1 million for home rehabilitation programs for low-income households;
• $1 million to provide rental assistance to HCPSS and HCC student households experiencing housing instability and housing cost burden; and
• $1.5 million to support homeless services.

The budget also:

• Allocates $1 million in one-time funding to support the County’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Housing Opportunities Trust Fund, which was created in 2022 to promote access to affordable housing through innovative housing programs and construction of new affordable housing communities.
• Transfers $2 million in funding from DHCD’s Community Renewal Fund to the Capital Budget for the construction of the County’s first-ever Non-Congregate Shelter along the Route One Corridor in North Laurel. This facility is a key goal of the County’s new five-year plan to end homelessness, The Path Toward Zero: Howard County’s Strategic Plan to End Homelessness 2025–2030.
• Includes $165,000 from Ball’s new LIVE (Landlord accountability, Investment in quality, Victim protection and Eviction prevention) initiative to reinstate partial-year funding for an electrical position and add a rental housing inspector position within the County’s Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits.
• Features $15.2 million Community Service Partnership (CSP) grants to support non-profits, reflecting a 6.7 percent increase from the prior year, and $83,000 in PAYGO funding is also included to support the one-time needs of CSP grant recipients.

Recreation and Parks

Howard County’s vast parks and recreational facilities will receive $16.7 million in local and state funding toward various park projects and renovations to existing facilities. This includes parkland acquisition, aging infrastructure repairs, and site improvements to the Bollman Truss Bridge, Cedar Lane Park, Font Hill Wetlands Park bridge and pathway, Ilchester Park and Recreation Center, Rockburn Branch Park, and Western Regional Park. The budget also includes $3.9 million in funding to support improvements to Recreation & Parks’ roadways, parking lots, sports courts, and historic structures and sites.

Furthermore, an additional $3 million in County funding and $1 million in anticipated federal funding will support the design and first phase of construction at the new Public Gardens at the Longwood property in Glenwood.

Effective Government

The Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget furthers Ball’s reorganization efforts to strengthen County service delivery and efficiency, including transferring the Office of Central Services (including mail and fleet services) to the Department of General Services to streamline operations.

The budget also supports County employees by addressing critical needs, including:

• $5 million in PAYGO to provide one-time assistance to the Health Benefit Fund to mitigate its growing deficit, which is primarily driven by escalated claim costs;
• $3 million toward a voluntary retirement incentive program to provide generate future budget savings;
• $1 million as a one-time contribution to the OPEB (Other Post Employment Benefits) Trust Fund to address long-term liabilities for HCPSS and HCC retirees; and
• New positions for an IT audit manager position in the County Council and a litigator in the County’s Office of Law.

Furthermore, the budget includes $510,000 in one-time State mandated funds for the purchase of election pollbooks and ballot devices, covering the first of a three-year commitment that is expected to exceed $2 million.

Fiscal Responsibility

Finally, despite ongoing workforce and funding challenges at the federal level and global conflicts impacting prices, the County continues to exercise fiscal planning, strategy, and discipline to implement innovative cost-efficient solutions to deliver core services. The Operating Budget includes $1.5 million in one-time funds to ensure the County can respond to unanticipated federal impacts and emerging needs that may arise in the year ahead.

Despite a time of economic hardship and uncertainty for many local governments, the County has maintained its AAA credit rating from all three major rating agencies, a financial accomplishment achieved for each of the last eight years. This AAA rating ranks the County among the top two percent of jurisdictions nationwide with this distinction.

For more information on Howard County’s FY 2027 Operating and Capital Budgets, visit the Budget Office’s “Budget Publications” website.