Tomorrow, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will attend “Trick or Treat on Main,” a Halloween event where trick-or-treaters of all ages collect treats from Ellicott City shops and restaurants on historic Main Street. The event is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with families encouraged to come early and stay late to explore the unique businesses in Ellicott City. The event will be both kid-friendly and dog-friendly.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced the new Housing Opportunities Master Plan process and signed an Executive Order to form a Housing Opportunities Master Plan Task Force.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is seeking applicants with a disability and applicants who are a board or staff member of an agency providing services to persons with disabilities, to serve on the Commission on Disabilities. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, November 27, 2019.

Media tip sheet showcasing Howard County Government happenings for the month of November 2019.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball to announce new Housing Opportunities Master Plan process, which will include hiring an independent consultant to find potential approaches in housing, including ways to expand homeownership opportunities and ensure a sustainable future of housing in Howard County

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will light the George Howard Building purple in honor of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month tonight and every night for the rest of October. Domestic violence harms nearly a third of women and nearly 20% of children. Since 1987, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month has been designated as an opportunity to raise awareness and promote resources for healing.

Wrestlers, age eight to 14, are invited to join Howard County’s Department of Recreation & Parks on Saturday, November 2, as it welcomes U.S. Olympic gold medalist wrestler Brandon Slay to its Gary J. Arthur Community Center for a pre-season wrestling clinic.

A Howard County construction project to extend public sewer to 3222 and 3226 Boones Lane in Ellicott City is expected to begin on or about Monday, October 28. The project involves the installation of approximately 107 linear feet of eight-inch sewer main, a four-foot diameter manhole and water and sewer house connections. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late November.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has issued the following statement on HCPSS’s Health Fund deficit: “The County was just informed of the HCPSS audit concern, which appears to be primarily driven by an unanticipated claims spike that exceeded actuarial projections by $10.2 million and a policy decision by HCPSS to provide $3.3 million unbudgeted employee benefit credits, per the superintendent’s memo. We feel it is appropriate for HCPSS to review its practices that resulted in the deficit in the Health and Dental Fund and develop a workable plan to address the deficit.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball pre-filed legislation to convey 2.63 acres of land to the State of Maryland as part of the widening of Maryland Route 32 from Linden Church Road to Interstate 70. The conveyance of this property to the State will assist in accelerating the critical work to widen Route 32 within this corridor.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball pre-filed legislation that would raise the minimum legal age to purchase tobacco products and electronic smoking devices (also known as “e-cigarettes” or “vaping” devices) from 18 to 21 in Howard County. This bill will also amend what constitutes proof of age to purchase tobacco or electronic smoking devices.

A Howard County repair project in the vicinity of 3812 New Cut Road in Ellicott City, is scheduled to begin on or about Friday, October 25. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late July 2020.

County Executive Calvin Ball today provided updates on Ellicott City progress. He highlighted the $20.2 million in his proposed capital budget for FY21, announced the final acquisition of the 10 properties on lower Main Street, provided updates on the federal section 106 process, and lower Main Street stabilization and preservation efforts.

Next Tuesday, April 7th, the Howard County Health Department, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Health, will begin offering drive-through COVID-19 testing at the Columbia Emissions Testing Center for residents who are displaying symptoms, have a referral from their healthcare provider, and an appointment for testing. At this time the site, located at 6340 Woodside Ct #1071 in Columbia, will be open for appointments from 10am to 2pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

Today, Howard County government launched a new dashboard tracking COVID-19 in the county, including active cases, recovered cases, and deaths. The information is sourced from the Howard County Health Department and updates daily, it may differ from the Maryland Department of health due to the timing of data collection.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced that, for the 23rd year in a row, the County received the highest possible credit rating, AAA, from all three bond rating agencies - Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investor Services and Standard & Poor’s.

Howard County government provided additional guidance today for essential workers who need child care amid the coronavirus outbreak. Last week, the Maryland State Department of Education ordered all private child care providers closed, except for those that serve emergency services personnel. Howard County has 150 approved child care sites at this time.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball launches "HoCo Food Go," an innovative new map for Howard County restaurants and bars to list their delivery and carryout options.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today presented to the County Council a $250 million Capital Improvement Program For Fiscal Year 2021, including $94.6 million from General Obligation bonds.

County Executive Ball today emphasized the need to show compassion and kindness to each other and avoid common stigmas that are associated with coronavirus.  

Today, Governor Hogan issued an Executive Order placing Maryland under a stay-at-home order that goes into effect at 8 p.m. this evening. Residents may not leave their homes except for essential job or reason, including food and medication pick-up, medical emergencies, essential work, or outdoor recreation with safe social distancing. The order can be read online here, with additional interpretive guidance here. Any person who knowingly and willfully violates the order is guilty of a misdemeanor, which will be enforced by the Howard County Police Department.

The Department of Recreation and Parks is closing the following recreational areas to encourage social distancing and discourage any gatherings at parks

The Howard County Health Department today confirmed the first deaths in Howard County due to coronavirus. The victims, both males, 90 and 75 years old, had underlying health conditions.

Last night, County Executive Ball hosted a virtual town hall with community leaders to answer questions about coronavirus, the census, and upcoming elections from Howard County residents. More than 15,000 residents tuned in via phone or the Facebook livestream, and submitted 450 questions to the town hall panel. To view the video of the town hall please click here.

County Executive Ball will host a Virtual Town Hall tonight at 6:30 pm to answer questions and concerns from Howard County residents about coronavirus and the local response, the census, and upcoming elections. Residents are encouraged to pre-register and will receive a phone call to join the virtual town hall. Or residents can call in at 855-756-7520 ext. 57556#. The event will also be live-streamed online.