Howard County Council Legislative Public Hearing Continuation - September 24, 2026

The Howard County Council held a continuation of its September legislative public hearing on September 24, 2026, to receive testimony on several bills and resolutions. The hearing covered Council Bill 59-2026 (temporary hold on solar energy facilities), financial bond authorizations (CB49–CB51), property tax credits for day care providers (CB52) and retired public safety officers (CB53), and resolutions supporting the Arts & Culture Plan (CR159), the Bicycle Master Plan update (CR160), and establishing a Surplus School Use Committee (CR161). Council members heard from dozens of residents, organizational representatives, and county staff. No votes were taken; a work session is scheduled for September 28 and a legislative session for October 5.

Public Comments & Testimony

CB59-2026 – Solar Collector Facilities Temporary Hold

• Jeff Polak (Ellicott City) testified in support, expressing concern that preserved farmland would be covered with solar panels and that the process lacks checks and balances for neighboring property owners.
• Doug Siglin (District 5) testified in opposition, urging the council to reject the bill. He stated that Howard County has become a state leader in solar energy and that a moratorium would undermine the county's climate goals and its Climate Forward plan.
• John Lennon Miller (Woodstock, District 5) testified in opposition, arguing that the bill conflicts directly with state law (the Renewable Energy Certainty Act) and is unnecessary because the county is already in compliance. He acknowledged working for a solar developer but said he was testifying as a resident.
• Shannon Singleton (Woodbine) testified in support, stating the bill is about good governance due to a serious lack of clarity and transparency in the current process.
• Ryan O'Connor (West Friendship) testified in strong support, calling the bill a common-sense pause to resolve unanswered questions, and criticized a fiscal analysis that conflated federal tax credits with county revenue losses.
• Nader Cain (no residence given) testified in opposition, suggesting the bill is a half-measure and that the council should instead adopt the stricter of two existing regulatory paths as an interim solution.
• Barbara Baker (Woodbine) testified in support, citing lack of clear standards, the absence of an owner-operator requirement for solar leases, and the lack of a cap on solar farms in agricultural preservation areas.
• Michael McAllister (Woodbine) testified in support, noting that the state law says existing easements cannot be impaired, yet the county's implementation memo preserves county rights, creating confusion. He also cited a 2025 study estimating that nearby residential values could fall 4.8%.
• Ian Nagengast (Woodbine) testified in support, stating the temporary pause is needed to understand how county rules will fit state requirements and to define what "farmland forever" means.
• Gail Mackison (Woodbine) testified in support, highlighting that Howard County is the only district in the state that allows solar on preserved land and that the pause would allow time to address unintended consequences.
• Elizabeth Franks (Woodbine) testified in strong support, emphasizing that large-scale solar projects are moving forward faster than communities can evaluate them.
• Colt Romberger (testimony read by Kathy Heckman) testified in support, expressing concerns about environmental impacts, property values, and the lack of public service commission review for projects between one and two megawatts.
• Ryan Powers (Glenwood) testified in support, drawing a parallel to the county's recent data center pause and stating that solar panels on preserved land destroy the land.
• Jim Heckman (Woodbine) testified in support, noting that utility-scale solar on preserved land violates the intent of agricultural preservation and that a temporary pause would allow for more study.
• Gene Bolton (residence not stated) testified in opposition, arguing that the county's climate goals require continued solar development, that stopping projects would harm solar companies and low-income families, and that the bill would put the county on the side of those who want to kill solar.
• Ruth White (on behalf of Howard County Climate Action) testified in opposition, stating that the bill is irresponsible and that any delay makes the county's 2030 greenhouse gas reduction goals less attainable. She noted that delays could jeopardize federal tax credits and that state law prohibits local jurisdictions from prohibiting solar projects.
• Spencer Rhoda (delegate candidate) testified in support, raising concerns about transparency and a potential conflict of interest involving a named councilmember. He demanded protection of farmland that the public has already paid to preserve.
• Gary Cooper (Woodbine) testified in support, arguing that the county needs time to determine what local authority remains and to ensure proper placement of solar panels, citing viewshed and glare issues.
• Casey Meinike (Woodbine) testified in support, describing how her family moved to Howard County expecting preserved land to remain farmland, and now faces a proposed solar project behind her home. She asked the council to define what preservation means.
• Matt Wilhite (residence not stated) testified in support, stating that government needs to pause to catch up with private industry and that the bill is about good governance and protecting residents.

CB49-2026, CB50-2026, CB51-2026 – Bond Authorizations

• Rafi Hila, County Director of Finance, testified in favor of all three bills, explaining that CB49 authorizes up to $670,397 in bonds through the Maryland Water Infrastructure Financing Administration (MWIFA) at an interest rate under 2.5%, with about 475% expected to be forgiven (this appears to be a misstatement; the transcript says "approximately 475%, is expected to be forgiven" which likely means 47.5% or a similar figure). CB50 authorizes up to $150 million in consolidated public improvement bonds and $50 million in metropolitan district bonds to finance capital projects. CB51 authorizes refunding bonds to refinance outstanding debt at favorable rates.
• Matt Wilhite (public) raised concerns about contingency funds and the total debt level, questioning why the county adds new bonds and asking for more transparency on the Ellicott City flood mitigation project costs.

CB52-2026 – Credit for Day Care Providers and Additional Childcare Credits

• Rafi Hila testified in favor, stating the bill expands daycare tax credits to support more than 400 child and adult care providers and encourage new providers.

CB53-2026 – Public Safety Officer Tax Credit – Retired Public Safety Officers

• Rafi Hila testified in favor and thanked the council for his service.
• Wayne Livesay (former Howard County Police Chief) testified in support, recounting his 34 years of service and stating that many retirees find it difficult to balance budgets on pensions. He argued the credit helps retain retirees in the county.
• Chuck Ridgely (President, Howard County Professional Firefighters Retired Association) testified in support, asking the council to say thank you to retirees.
• Nader Cain testified in opposition, questioning why the benefit is targeted at public safety retirees rather than other vulnerable populations, and suggesting pension adjustments instead.
• Jim Daly (President, Howard County Police Supervisors Alliance) testified in strong support, stating that the credit demonstrates appreciation for sacrifices made by public safety officers and helps with recruitment and retention.
• Matt Wilhite testified in support, arguing that keeping retirees in the county benefits the community and that the credit is a small token of respect.
• Alan Schneider (Clarksville) testified in support but suggested the concept should be expanded to include other retired public servants like teachers and crossing guards.
• Andy Liebno (Lisbon, District 5, via WebEx) testified in support, providing historical context that the state law was changed in 2023 to allow retirees but was never brought to the council until now.

CR159-2026 – Supporting the Arts & Culture Plan

• Colleen West (Executive Director, Howard County Arts Council) testified in favor, describing the plan as a 10-year blueprint developed with over 1,300 participants through surveys, workshops, and a 31-member steering committee. She stated the plan complements the county's general plan and prioritizes arts as a tool for economic strength and community belonging.

CR160-2026 – Approving BikeHoward 2026

• Chris Eton (Howard County Office of Transportation) testified in favor, stating the plan updates the 2016 master plan, incorporates new analytical tools, and was developed with extensive public input (361 comments). The plan is aspirational and not fiscally binding; capital funding for bike infrastructure is expected to remain at about $1 million per year.
• Nader Kane testified, stating he does not oppose the plan but requested striking the request for designation from the League of American Bicyclists, arguing the county has not earned that designation and it misrepresents current infrastructure.
• Jason Hummel (Laurel) testified in opposition to the inclusion of the Kindler-Edenbrook Bridge project, stating the feasibility study predetermined a solution and that an alternative (upgrading the Old Columbia Road Bridge) would be less expensive and less impactful. He asked the council to delay approval until the plan is revised.
• Ted Cochran (Columbia, representing Free Bikes for Kids) testified in support, emphasizing that safe bike routes are critical for children and that the plan will improve connectivity.
• Antoine Wright (Chair, Howard County Multimodal Transportation Board) testified in strong support, stating that the plan delivers on the county's vision of connected, sustainable growth and that safe bikeways are public facilities that belong in how the county plans development.
• Emily Ranson (Chair, Howard County Bicycle Advisory Group) testified in support, sharing a personal story about her child's safety and urging approval.

CR161-2026 – Establishing a Surplus School Use Committee

• Emily Ayaki (Chief, Bureau of Real Estate Management) testified in favor, explaining that the Howard County Board of Education determined a 4.5815-acre parcel (Lot 2) at the Central Office site is no longer needed for educational purposes and intends to transfer it to the county for Fire Station 15. The resolution creates a committee to study the disposition as required by county code.

Discussion Items

Council members engaged with several speakers:

• Councilmember Yungmann asked John Lennon Miller whether he agreed with attorneys who said the Renewable Energy Certainty Act may not preempt agricultural preservation easements. Miller agreed that existing easements cannot be overruled but said that does not change the situation in Howard County because pre-RECA allowances for solar on ag-pres land already existed.
• Councilmember Yungmann questioned Gene Bolton about her support for a recent data center pause but opposition to the solar pause. She replied that solar has been studied extensively while data centers are newer.
• Councilmember Walsh asked Director Hila about "other sources" in the bond backup; Hila explained the MWIFA loan is considered other sources. Walsh also expressed frustration that the Ellicott City flood mitigation project continues to grow in cost, from about $200 million to an estimated $412 million.
• Councilmember Walsh questioned the timing and policy of CB53, asking why the council should pass the bill in its final months. Director Hila responded that bills are brought forward when due diligence is complete. Councilmember Jung expressed support for the bill, stating she values retirees staying in the county.
• On CR160, Councilmember Yungmann asked Nader Kane about spending on bike infrastructure versus other needs. Kane responded that his testimony was focused on the designation, not the plan itself.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken during the public hearing. The council is scheduled to hold a work session on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the C. Running Gray Room to discuss the legislation further.
• A legislative session for final consideration of certain bills will be held on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
• Written testimony will continue to be accepted and fully considered by the council prior to taking action.