Ongoing Efforts

Adopting the County budget involves making choices about what local services should be funded and at what level. The Howard County Charter and the Maryland Constitution require a balanced budget, meaning revenues generated must cover the appropriated expenses.

The County’s fiscal year, the 12-month period covering the annual budget, starts on July 1st and ends the following June 30th.

Howard County Commissions and Task Forces play an important role in fostering citizen involvement in our government. They cover a wide variety of topics and report back to the Council; recommending or commenting on legislation, budget items or other important policy changes.

Once each decade, Howard County updates its General Plan, a long-range, visionary document that guides land use, growth, and development decisions. The County’s Department of Planning & Zoning is leading a community outreach effort to create a new General Plan, called HoCo By Design.

Howard County voters will have the opportunity to vote For or Against Question A, on Election Day, November 5. Question A is a Charter Amendment (CR107) that was unanimously adopted by the County Council. Final approval of a Charter Amendment requires adoption by the County voters as a ballot measure.