Howard County Executive Ball’s Transformational FY26 Budget Gets Bipartisan, Unanimous Approval, Making Historic Investments in Education, Public Safety, Community Facilities, Transportation, and More

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball’s impactful $2.35 billion Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Operating Budget was today unanimously approved, across Party lines, by the Howard County Council. This balanced spending plan prioritizes Howard County’s shared values, while navigating emerging fiscal challenges and maintaining support for core services and strategic investments without increasing property or income taxes for residents. In addition, the County Council also voted to approve Ball’s carefully crafted $365 million FY26 Capital Budget, providing critical resources for school construction, public safety, community facilities, flood control, infrastructure maintenance, transportation, and more.

Education

The approved Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) FY26 budget of more than $1.2 billion in funding exceeds the State-mandated Maintenance of Effort funding by $53.8 million. This includes more than $9 million to fully fund the Blueprint, which includes expanding full day pre-K for eligible four-year-olds, increasing student technology investments, and expanding National Board Certification pay for educators.

This operating increase of seven percent in recurring local funding for HCPSS plus $1.5 million for one-time expenditures brings the total County investment to $816 million. This reflects one of the highest year-over-year increases to school funding in the State of Maryland in FY26, and it represents the highest year-over-year funding increase to HCPSS in Howard County history.

Ball’s original budget proposed a 5.1% increase of $39 million in new recurring county funding for HCPSS, as well as an additional $6.7 million to fund educator pension liabilities, a new cost passed on to Howard County from the State this year. However, despite this record level of investment during a year of great uncertainty at the State and Federal level, HCPSS continues to experience severe budget challenges. On May 12, Ball proposed emergency legislation (CB45-2025) to provide an additional $14.5 million to HCPSS from the County’s Policy Reserve, as a unique one-time solution intended to provide critical resources for the school system to address core staffing and programming needs in the year ahead. The Howard County Charter limits using reserves due to future budget impacts. This move represents the significant commitment from the County to maximize support to HCPSS in a difficult year.

This emergency legislation to increase funding to HCPSS above the original proposed budget was unanimously approved by the County Council and signed into law by County Executive Ball on May 21, 2025. Coupled with internal HCPSS savings strategies identified by the County and the school system, This 7 percent increase in recurring local funding ensures that critical resources are available to the school system in the year ahead. Furthermore, this significant increase in recurring funding will be built into the ongoing Maintenance of Effort funding for HCPSS in future fiscal years.

The approved Capital Budget fully funds the Board of Education’s request of $100.6 million in local and state funding. This budget prioritizes safety, including projects to secure every high school with a single point of entry so students and staff are safe and feel safe when they walk into buildings. Additionally, the budget has a strong focus on school construction, critical infrastructure, and deferred maintenance across many HCPSS educational facilities, including:

• $35.3 million to support various renovations and address maintenance needs across HCPSS’s entire system, including HVAC replacements, lab maintenance, athletic needs, air quality, and more;
• $12.6 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;
• $6.7 million to renovate Dunloggin Middle School’s existing facility and expand its educational program space by adding 136 seats to the school;
• $6.7 million to address roof replacement and maintenance; and
• $5.4 million for information technology investments, relocatable classrooms, playground equipment, and parking enhancements.

Community College and Libraries

The FY26 Operating Budget includes $1.3 million to Howard Community College (HCC). This funding amount continues to build upon the historic funding growth provided in last year’s operating budget and supports the unparalleled academic programs offered by the community college. The County will also cover the newly mandated $200,000 in HCC pension costs. The approved Capital Budget also directs $5 million in Couty funding to support HCC’s Workforce Development and Trades Center and $1 million in continued support for HCC’s systemic renovations.

While the approved FY26 Operating Budget includes $794,000 for the Howard County Library System (HCLS), the Capital Budget moves $5 million in restricted State funds currently held in contingency to support the continued planning and design efforts of a new HCLS Central Branch in Downtown Columbia.

Public Safety

The approved FY26 Operating Budget includes $162.8 million for the Howard County Police Department (HCPD), reflecting an increase of $4.6 million to support staffing and operational costs. 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. An additional $795,706 in one-time funds is allocated for equipment upgrades and to support the addition of a School Resource Officer (SRO) at the recently opened Guilford Park High School. There are currently SROs stationed at all other HCPSS high schools.

The budget also includes $163.4 million in funding for the Department of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS). Excluding one-time costs from prior years, this budget represents a 6.6 percent increase to support staffing, training, and emergency services for DFRS.

The Office of the State’s Attorney for Howard County will receive $163,000 to support critical needs in its Special Victims Unit and Body Worn Camera program.

Finally, the Capital Budget includes:

• $2.5 million for the ongoing renovations to transform the former Maryland Army National Guard’s BG Thomas B. Baker Armory in Ellicott City into a future site for training and occupational safety and health services.
• $4.5 million for land acquisition, design, and permit costs for a new Fire Station in the northern part of the county and $500,000 in rural fire water protection systems.
• $3.2 million for continued renovations to the Howard County’s Detention Center, including the completion of a new mental health unit, updates to the center’s security alarm, a new reentry and inmate training space, a feasibility study for the long-term replacement of the facility, and lobby upgrades.
• $1.9 million for systemic public safety improvements, including U.S. Digital and CCTV upgrades at various fire stations, 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 Center’s Emergency Room expansion, which will help build a much-needed 29-bed observation unit to address hospital wait times and improve critical care in our community.

Additionally, this budget includes approximately $2.3 million in Opioid Restitution Funds to enhance addiction recovery services, including hiring additional peer recovery specialists, expanding programming at Highland House, and providing capital support to Sheppard Pratt’s residential treatment center.

Finally, the budget includes $125,000 to sustain Howard County Health Department’s maternal health initiative to ensure healthy pregnancies for all and will support it Stepping Up Initiative, focused on diverting residents with mental illness from jail into treatment.

Business and Nonprofit Support

The approved Operating Budget includes $1.07 million in one-time funding to the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) to support business growth and employment programs. These funds support HCEDA’s Business Revitalization Initiative Through Entrepreneurship (BRITE), Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR), and Maryland Innovation Center (MIC) Global programs, as well as the business microlending program and the Collateral Assistance fund for businesses. In light of recent federal employment impacts, these investments in small businesses, entrepreneurship, and employment programs help ensure that Howard County is prepared to meet the growing workforce needs of our community.

Additionally, funding is provided to the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) to offset decreased federal funding and expand workforce opportunities. As former federal employees are looking for new employment opportunities, OWD offers vital career counseling, resume assistance, and direct referrals to support the workforce. Funding will contribute to building a stronger workforce pipeline with $250,000 to expand the successful Summer Youth Employment Program that will reach 300 students this summer.

As youth engagement remains a core priority, the budget also includes $500,000 to continue Ball’s Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) Grants program. YEP! promotes youth activities and engagement in Howard County through free, accessible, and supportive programming developed by nonprofit and community organizations.

Additionally, the budget includes $5 million to continue the nonprofit redevelopment of the Flier Building in Columbia into “The Source,” a vibrant community hub providing community services, youth recreation opportunities, and employment resources.

Finally, the budget includes a record $14.3 million to support non-profit services through Community Service Partnership grants, which support various organizations that provide critical human services, arts and cultural programs, and tourism promotion in the county. Another $850,000 in one-time PAYGO funds will sustain the HoCo STRIVES (Strategies to Reach an Inclusive Vision and Equitable Solutions) initiative, supporting youth mental health, transportation access, and summer enrichment programming.

Environmental Protection and Agricultural Initiatives

To reinforce the County’s Howard County Climate Forward: Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, the approved Operating Budget includes nearly $1 million in funding dedicated to tree planting, forest conservation, and other preservation efforts.

The budget also pledges $500,000 for the Enhanced Agricultural Grant program and $300,000 in grants for agricultural preservation and innovation initiatives, to support the county’s agricultural sector. In addition, $200,000 is included to initiate a New and Beginning Farmer program.

Housing

This approved Operating Budget includes $10.7 million to support homeownership, housing rehabilitation, and homelessness prevention, reflecting the County’s continued commitment to fostering mixed-income communities and long-term stability for all residents. This includes: $2 million for homeownership assistance programs; $2 million for the Right to Purchase program; $1 million for home rehabilitation and financial education; and approximately $1.6 million for homelessness prevention initiatives.

Recreation and Parks

Our beautiful park system will receive $9.6 million in County Capital Budget funding, building upon Ball’s ongoing investment in park projects and renovations to existing facilities. This includes repainting the Bollman Truss Bridge and other site improvements, Alpha Ridge Park pickleball courts, Rockburn Branch Park improvements, Ilchester Park and Recreation Center improvements, the acquisition of parkland, and repairs and renovations to Department of Recreation & Parks’ aging park infrastructure. The budget also includes $2.5 million in funding to support improvements to Recreation & Parks’ roadways, parking lots, sports courts, and historic structures and sites.

Furthermore, an additional $600,000 investment in County funding and $1 million in anticipated federal funding will help advance the design and preliminary Phase I construction of the nearly-100-acre Longwood property in Glenwood, into a premiere Public Garden destination.

Community Facilities

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

• $356,000 for operations at the County’s new North Laurel Pool, currently under construction and expected to open in spring 2026;
• $2.4 million in County capital funding to complete the first phase of the new Center for Arts, Culture, and History renovation and construction project, which is transforming the former historic Ellicott City Circuit Courthouse space into the new home of the Howard County Arts Council, first-ever Asian American and Pacifici Islander Cultural Center, the County’s award-winning Roving Radish program, and new shared commercial kitchen;
• $25 million in capital funding for the planning, design, and construction of the County’s new Elkridge Community and 50+ Center;
• $1 million in the Capital Budget to launch the planning and design phase of the County’s new Agriculture Center at West Friendship Park; and
• $9.1 million in County systemic facilities improvements, including:
  • Office buildouts in the newly acquired 9755 Patuxent Woods building;
  • Renovations to the Banneker Room in the George Howard Building;
  • HVAC upgrades at the Roger Carter Community Center;
  • Work at the Baltimore and Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum; and
  • Elevator and generator upgrades and miscellaneous building projects at various Department of Recreation & Parks facilities.

Transportation and Infrastructure

The Capital Budget includes $14.7 million to support the implementation of Pedestrian Master Plan, Bicycle Master Plan, and Complete Streets Policy infrastructure across the county. Various multimodal projects consist of crosswalks, sidewalks, and shared-use pathway projects, including along Guilford Road, Montgomery Road, Cedar Lane, Tamar Drive, and US 1. The County is also committing $1.1 million to enhance and improve connections along school walking routes.

The budget also allocates $2 million in County funding to support the design and construction of bus stations across the county, including funding 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 20 Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland bus stops.

Additionally, the budget includes more than $18 million in one-time PAYGO funds to capital projects that improve mobility and safety. This includes $15.1 million for road resurfacing and $3 million for sidewalks, road and bridge construction.

The approved Operating Budget includes $150,000 to support the HoCo RapidRide microtransit program, which serves residents along the Route One corridor in Elkridge, Jessup, and Savage to bridge transportation gaps.

Finally, 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 $61 million in funding for maintenance, upgrades, and operational needs, including:

• $20.1 million for maintenance, operation, and upgrades at the Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant;
• $13.9 million for the water asset management program;
• $5 million for the sewer asset management program; and
• $4.8 million for upgrades to various water and wastewater facilities. 

The budget also includes $670,000 in grant funding to support DPW’s new Service Line Stewardship Program to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s latest Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.

Technology

To ensure the County’s information technology systems remain secure, stable, resilient, and up to date, the Capital Budget includes $11 million toward technology modernization and infrastructure projects. These innovative initiatives will support major advancements in cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence that will enhance government operations, service delivery, productivity, and efficiency across departments and offices. The FY26 Budget for technology includes:

• $3.8 million for IT infrastructure upgrades;
• $3 million to transform the County’s constituent management platform into a modern user experience that incorporates AI tools, with the first phase being the upgrade of the County’s Department of Inspection, Licenses, and Permits’ licensing and inspection platform;
• $2 million for enterprise resource planning;
• $1 million to expand fiber network to meet the growing needs of the community;
• $1 million for radio enhancements; and
• $800,000 for public safety support.

Flood Control

Ball continues to implement elements of his comprehensive Ellicott City Safe and Sound Plan to address flooding in the Tiber-Hudson Watershed and protect historic Ellicott City, following the town’s recent devastating 2011, 2016, and 2018 floods.

This Capital Budget includes $23.2 million, including a $18.2 million low-interest State Revolving Loan and a $5 million low-interest Federal resiliency loan, to continue implementing elements of the Plan, including the ongoing construction of the North Tunnel and the design of the New Cut Branch (NC-3) flood mitigation pond. The budget also features an additional $500,000 in funding for vulnerable watershed restoration and resiliency throughout the county, targeting various neighborhoods that are experiencing localized drainage issues.

Stormwater and flood mitigation goes beyond Ellicott City and extends to county-wide resiliency. Out of the 187 ponds in Howard County, 82 are rated in critical condition, requiring an investment of nearly $13 million a year to address seven to eight ponds annually.

Fiscal Responsibility

Finally, while navigating emerging fiscal challenges at the State and Federal government levels, the County continues to exercise fiscal planning, strategy, and discipline to implement innovative cost-efficient solutions to deliver core services. To balance the budget and maximize support to critical services, especially K-12 education, without raising taxes or cutting other core services received by residents daily, the County has implemented multiple cost-saving strategies, including:

• Freezing more than 40 unfilled positions (3% of total civilian positions in County government);
• Cutting travel, training, and internal transportation costs;
• Reducing energy usage, janitorial and security costs through targeted building closures;
• Limiting new departmental initiatives; and
• Leveraging resources in internal service funds to mitigate cost increases.

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 and is committed to maintaining its strong fiscal stewardship and prominent rating status. Reflecting its strong and consistent fiscal discipline, the County remains ranked among the top two percent of jurisdictions nationwide to earn this vote of confidence.

For more information and/or to view the approved FY26 Operating and Capital Budgets, visit the Budget Office’s “Budget Publications” website.