Howard County Council Operating Budget Work Session #4 – May 15, 2026
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Howard County Council Operating Budget Work Session #4 – May 15, 2026
The Howard County Council held its fourth FY2027 executive proposed budget work session in a hybrid format on May 15, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The meeting covered the Sheriff’s Office operating budget, capital projects for Ellicott City Safe and Sound (North Tunnel, Maryland Avenue culverts, T1 tunnel, NC3 pond), Downtown Columbia projects (Performing Arts Center, Transit Center, TIF district), the County Council/Auditor budget, and proposed budget amendments. Key discussions focused on property acquisition costs, project prioritization, funding gaps, and the Office of Inspector General’s access to records.
Discussion Items
- Sheriff’s Office FY2027 Operating Budget: Sheriff Harris (virtually) highlighted the need for 11 additional deputies and vehicles for courthouse security due to a 30,000 increase in visitors and 633 more transports. The proposed budget shows a 13% increase excluding chargebacks, with total other expenses rising 24.3% ($288,000) largely due to vehicle chargebacks. Councilmember Yungmann questioned the necessity of new positions; Sheriff Harris explained industry standards require two deputies per defendant in criminal cases, and current staffing of 24 deputies falls short of the needed 40.
- Ellicott City Improvements and Enhancements: Mark DeLuca (retiring program manager) and Zach presented progress on the North Tunnel (18-ft diameter, mile-long, up to 150 ft deep, TBM “Rocky” near launch), completed ponds, and design status of Maryland Avenue culverts (95% design), T1 tunnel (35% design), and NC3 pond (concept). Total project cost estimated at $425.6 million, down from $430 million, with FY27 funding of $39.2 million (state grants/loans), leaving a $65 million gap. Property acquisitions were contested: Mount Ida purchased for $4 million (appraised at $3M by county, $6M by owner), West End Service Center for $8.5 million, and a Braybrook HOA easement for $18,000 (not $1.86M). Councilmember Walsh questioned the lack of quantification for CSX bridge improvements and the apportionment of costs. Councilmember Youngman and Rigby suggested reassessing T1 and NC3 ponds given high costs versus limited flood depth reduction. The administration indicated Maryland Avenue culverts and the tunnel are the highest priority.
- Downtown Columbia Projects: Carl DiLorenzo presented the Performing Arts Center (PAC) budget: $68.7 million total, $49.1 million hard cost construction, $9 million for parking garage, building cost ~$586/sq ft. Square footage reduced from 125k to 83k (county exclusive 55k, programmable 39k). Councilmember Youngman questioned why costs remained the same despite reduced square footage and the use of a sole-source contract with Whiting Turner, which she argued violated a 2023 law requiring council review of no-bid contracts. The administration defended the CM-at-risk delivery method due to site complexity (blasting near active theater). TIF district fund balance is $13.4 million, but deficits are projected for several years starting FY2028, dropping to $5 million before recovering around 2037. Transit center funding request of $250,000 (on top of $200,000) for study and grant preparation was questioned by Councilmember Walsh and Youngman given no site selected and decade-long timeline.
- County Council / Auditor: Michelle Harrod and Jenny McGregor presented a flat budget with an increase in chargebacks and a request for an IT audit manager position. Councilmember Youngman supported the position.
- Budget Amendments: Councilmember Walsh proposed an amendment to tie licensure renewals to granting the Office of Inspector General direct access to all electronic systems, citing lack of compliance with the enabling legislation. Councilmember Yungmann proposed cutting the proposed water/sewer fee increase by half to relieve pressure on residents and businesses. The administration noted a data use agreement for SAP and UKG was finalized that morning, providing some access. Council agreed to jointly request an Attorney General opinion on the IG’s access to records under MPIA. No votes were taken on amendments during the work session.
Key Outcomes
- No formal votes were recorded; the meeting served as a discussion session for the FY2027 budget.
- The council expressed intent to request an Attorney General opinion on the scope of the Office of Inspector General’s access to county records.
- Councilmember Yungmann’s amendment to reduce the water/sewer fee increase by half will be considered along with the administration’s proposed smaller reduction.
- Councilmember Walsh indicated she would withdraw her amendment regarding licensure renewals but continued to urge compliance with the inspector general law.
- The meeting adjourned after discussions of amendments, with the council set to deliberate the final budget in subsequent sessions.
Meeting Transcript
This webinar is being recorded and summarized. Good morning, everyone. This is the council's fourth FY2027 executive proposed budget work session in which we will discuss pending capital or operating items and proposed amendments to the FY27 executive proposed capital and operating budget. The proceeding this morning is a hybrid meeting, which is being conducted in person and via WebEx teleconference. The public may view through live stream available through the county council website. At this time, we're going to do a roll call of the council members. Here. Mr. Youngman here. And I just arrived as well. That's why I'm uh still out of breath. I am Opal Jones. Our agenda today includes the following departments for the FY27 executive proposed operating budget. Sheriff and County Council, as well as the FY27 executive proposed capital budget for Ellicott City, safe and sound, and downtown Columbia projects. We will conclude with a discussion of proposed budget amendments. We will now proceed with our agenda beginning with the sheriff's FY2027 executive proposed operating budget request. Sheriff Harris, if you are still with us, you can give us a quick two to three minute highlight if you if you will, and we will begin with questions and or comments. Good morning. First, I want to apologize for not being there in person. Obviously, I was there in person, but by the time being pushed, we had to get back and do it by Zoom because we do have other obligations today. So Sheriff Harris, uh I would like to say it's been a pleasure working with everyone on the county council over the last eight years, seven years. I you know this is our last budget meeting, um, but we've done some really good things together, and I appreciate each and every one of you. Um with that being said, I have Colonel Verderin here with me, and Mr. Rogers, he's our new budget analyst, so please take it easy on him today as he is learning. Good morning. That being said, I am ready for any questions you may have. Well, Sheriff Harris, I want to say thank you for your service as well for the past eight budgets. And uh quick note you are here, whether you're virtually or in person. This is a hybrid meeting, so you are indeed present, and we thank you and your amazing staff over the past eight years for all you've done. Um so I just want to say that. I have no questions. I'll pass it on to Ms. Young. Good morning, gentlemen. It is good to see you, although we're not seeing you yet on the screen. Um also thank you for all that you do for Howard County. I know that it's a tough job, and some of the most difficult circumstances are faced by members of your staff, and we appreciate um their hard work. I do have one question. Um I'm seeing that uh other expenses are proposed as one point well one million four hundred and seventy-three thousand five hundred and forty-five dollars, and FY 2027, an increase of 288,000 dollars, 24.3 percent over the FY 2026 approved amount of one point um eight five million, and that this increase primarily came from eleven more vehicles. Uh and I so I assume that means not replacement vehicles, and I was trying to understand why you would need 11 more vehicles. So let me start off by saying every time we we're actually asking for 11. You need 11 new deputies for 27, FY27. I'm sorry, 11 what you're getting 11 more deputies and 11 more vehicles. So anytime we get a deputy, we get a vehicle. That deputy's equipment for vehicle. I only see all right. I don't only saw a difference in proposed staff changes of six. Is that not right? So the proposed staff changes are we had three pins that were basically unfunded. So those are being funded in 2026.
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