Howard County Council FY2027 Budget Public Hearing - May 7, 2026

The Howard County Council held its final budget public hearing on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. to receive testimony on the FY2027 executive proposed capital and operating budgets (presented April 20). The hybrid meeting was conducted in person at the George Howard Building and via WebEx, with live stream and broadcast on channels 44 (Verizon) and 1071 (Comcast). Council Members Rigby, Jung, Walsh, Yungmann, and Chair Jones were present. No formal votes were taken; written comments continue to be accepted. The council will hold work sessions throughout May.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Leo Garcia (fifth-grade student, Jefferson Elementary School) testified about his visual disability and safety concerns on Oakland Mills Road. He requested signs reading "visually impaired child in the area" at every crosswalk and no-turn-on-red signs at two intersections (Kilimanjaro/Oakland Mills and Homespun/Oakland Mills). Council members expressed support and commitment to follow up.
• Karen Bieterman (Dunloggin Middle School PTA, Ellicott City) testified in support of fully funding the HCPSS Board of Education operating budget request to restore a $6.2 million shortfall, stating that cuts would risk staff, programs, and technology. She also advocated for Centennial High School over Oakland Mills High School for systemic renovation, citing higher Facility Condition Index (FCI) scores, deferred maintenance, seat need, and inequitable conditions (e.g., port-a-potties at Centennial's stadium for 50 years). She claimed that BOE member Jolene Mosley misled others about the "Built to Learn Act" funds being earmarked for Oakland Mills schools. Council Member Yungmann noted that many portable classrooms are at schools that are not overcrowded and questioned their necessity.
• Colleen West (Executive Director, Howard County Arts Council) requested full support for the proposed FY27 Community Service Partnership (CSP) grant of $1,404,000 and the $173,000 Paygo appropriation for relocation to the Capitoline Center. She reported that programs funded through the CSP grant had attendance exceeding 470,000 and volunteer contributions of over 83,000 hours. She emphasized the importance of unrestricted funding for local arts organizations and the new arts center's impact.
• Alec Lynde (new Executive Director, Howard EcoWorks) requested full funding of $500,000 in annual READY program funding and $100,000 one-time Paygo for capital improvements at Holly Hills, a new permanent home in Glenwood. He described the organization's work at the intersection of environmental restoration and workforce development, managing stormwater, reducing flood risk, and training residents for green jobs. He noted that the county's investment helps leverage state and federal funding.
• David Ryan (District 1, Ellicott City) testified against the Office on Aging and Independence's budget regarding discontinuation of the Rock Steady Boxing program for Parkinson's patients at the Columbia 50+ Center due to a procurement-driven RFP process. He urged the council to delay budget approval until the matter is resolved. Council Members Rigby, Yungmann, and Walsh noted ongoing communications with the administration and acknowledged similar issues with Tai Chi and COMPASS dementia programs. Council Member Yungmann expressed frustration that multiple programs were affected and that the Office on Aging had not yet responded to his staff's inquiry.
• Jerry Steinberg (Ellicott City, District 5) also testified on the Rock Steady Boxing program, describing it as a Parkinson-specific exercise program that builds strength, confidence, connection, and dignity. He stated that research shows consistent Parkinson-specific exercise slows progression and improves quality of life, and that even short disruptions can cause measurable decline. He asked the council to help restore the program or provide a no-gap alternative, citing the principle of "do no harm."
• Jerry Bookenweiner (Columbia) testified in support of building an indoor track facility, noting the lack of a banked track in the Greater Washington/Baltimore area and the high demand from student and master's athletes. He mentioned that the Prince George's sports complex is beyond capacity and that such a facility could host national indoor championships, attracting over 1,000 participants.

Discussion Items

• Council members discussed the Rock Steady Boxing and related program cancellations extensively. Multiple members acknowledged the issue is rooted in procurement code changes triggered when instructor payments exceed a $30,000 threshold. Council Member Rigby stated she is working with the administration to find a solution and sees an opportunity to revise the procurement process to honor community relationships. Council Member Yungmann expressed concern that the Office on Aging had missed his staff's deadline for a response and that similar programs (Tai Chi, COMPASS) were also affected without clear resolutions.
• Council Member Yungmann questioned the continued use of portable classrooms at Centennial High School, noting the school is not over capacity. Karen Bieterman deferred to school system staff regarding the condition and necessity of the portables.

Key Outcomes

• No formal decisions or votes were taken at the public hearing. The council will consider written testimony and conduct work sessions before adopting the FY2027 budget.
• Council members collectively committed to following up on the Rock Steady Boxing program and related senior center fitness program discontinuations, with Council Member Rigby reporting hopeful progress toward a resolution before budget adoption.
• The council expressed support for the student safety requests from Leo Garcia and indicated they would work with relevant departments to address crosswalk improvements on Oakland Mills Road.
• Testimony received will be factored into council deliberations during upcoming budget work sessions scheduled in May.