News & Events

Rafiu Ighile, Director of Finance for Howard County, Maryland, has spearheaded a new initiative to support and encourage his team to become Certified Public Finance Officers (CPFO). Recognizing the importance of professional development, Ighile’s leadership has made obtaining the CPFO designation more accessible and equitable for employees, paving the way for a stronger and more knowledgeable workforce.

The idea for this program began after Ighile realized that a majority of his team had expressed interest in pursuing a certification program. To meet this demand, he convened a group to discuss how to create a fair and supportive system. The result: a cost-sharing approach where the county covers two-thirds of the program’s expenses, while employees contribute one-third, reimbursed upon program completion. This model ensures affordability while motivating participants to see the program through to the end.

“We wanted to make it as easy as possible for our team to pursue the CPFO certification,” Ighile said. “This program benefits not only the individual employees but also Howard County as a whole. The certification covers everything from budgeting to risk management—all critical areas with financial implications for our work.”

The program launched in early 2024 with the support of the County Administrator, who approved the initiative, recognizing its potential to build a more well-rounded and capable workforce. Already, two employees have started the certification program, with 10 more expressing interest. By 2025, the county anticipates four additional employees joining the initiative.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will hold his first Residents’ Budget Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget cycle on Monday, December 9th at 6:00 p.m. This year’s budget hearing will be held virtually and can be watched live from the County Council’s streaming website. The hearing will be listed under “Upcoming Events.”

Our budget is a reflection of our community’s shared priorities and this hearing provides a wonderful opportunity for our residents to offer input and make their voices heard as we work to develop the County’s FY26 budget. I’m confident that when we work together as a community to set our spending priorities, we will continue to remain resilient to any challenges that might emerge and always come out stronger in the end. 

Calvin Ball

Howard County Executive

Residents will be able to sign-up ONLINE to speak at the hearing by going to www.howardcountymd.gov/residents-budget-hearing. Speakers must sign-up individually, and one person may not sign-up for several testifiers. Additionally, individual testimony is limited to three minutes and group testimony is limited to five.
 
From the same link, residents will also have the option to provide online budget testimony; however, residents are reminded that internet testimony is considered public information and, as such, is subject to the Maryland Public Information Act.   
 
If you have any questions and/or problems registering for the Budget Hearing, please contact the Budget Office at 410-313-2077 (voice) or use Relay at 7-1-1, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today joined Maryland Secretary of Natural Resources Joshua Kurtz to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) enhancing collaboration between the County and State’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to pursue shared climate and natural resource goals. 

Our strengthened partnership with DNR aligns with our ambitious, holistic, strategic, and collaborative approach to becoming energy independent, combatting climate change and ensuring the resiliency of our Howard County community and beyond. This innovative collaboration will accelerate progress toward our respective climate and energy independence goals, improving the quality of life for our residents and strengthening the natural habitats on which we all depend.

Calvin Ball

Howard County Executive

In his Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) budget, Ball has included $230,000 in funding to support DNR’s efforts to plant 32,800 trees on roughly 82 acres of state land in Howard County. This project will be the largest voluntary planting - of any kind - ever in Howard County. These trees will support the health of both the Patuxent and Patapsco watersheds, which contribute to quality of life and sustain the Chesapeake Bay.

Howard County has been a vital partner to the Department of Natural Resources, and we look forward to working closely together to pursue our shared environmental goals. 

Joshua Kurtz

Maryland Secretary of Natural Resources

Under the MOU, DNR and Howard County agreed to deepen their partnership in forest conservation, tree canopy expansion, and natural resource management, such as tree planting, invasive species management, and other conservation efforts. Maryland has a state-wide goal of planting five million trees by 2031, which was established in the Tree Solutions Now Act of 2021 and is led by DNR. Howard County’s bold 2023 Climate Forward Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (Climate Forward) includes an ambitious county-wide goal of achieving 50 percent tree canopy by 2030. 

When combined with the County’s Department of Recreation & Parks’ Natural Resources Division’s Tree Canopy Program, Turf to Trees Program, Stream ReLeaf Program, volunteer tree plantings and more, the County has planted more than 80,000 trees under Ball’s administration.

The County’s latest report on Climate Forward progress shows a 23 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, compared to 2005 base levels, and details other key advances on climate mitigation and resiliency. Howard County seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent by 2030 and reach net zero GHG emissions by 2045.

The MOU provides a framework for collaboration in three areas: 

Data Sharing: Howard County has developed and is refining a “Plantable Area” map to help identify suitable tree planting locations within the County. This map, along with other environmental data, including water quality metrics, habitat maps, and conservation priority areas, will be a useful collaborative tool for natural resource management. 

Tree Planting and Nature-Based Climate Solutions: Beyond tree plantings, the partnership will support invasive species management, of which the County managed 40 projects covering 206 acres in 2024 and also recently launched a Tree Savers volunteer program to combat invasive plant species. Additional cooperation may include ecosystem restoration and conservation, initiatives within Howard County’s Green Infrastructure Network, and other practices that provide environmental benefits. 

Public Outreach, Environmental Education, Workforce Development, and Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration in these areas will advance mutual interests in environmental protection, natural resource conservation, and climate mitigation and adaptation/resiliency. 

Howard County and DNR have a history of cooperation in areas such as watershed management, open space acquisition, forestry management, and tree planting. In April 2024, the County partnered with DNR on an ambitious tree planting agenda that will start with a planned Spring 2025 planting of nearly 33,000 native trees across several parcels comprising about 82 acres of state lands in Howard County.

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced that the County’s Department of Finance has been recognized with the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada for its “Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.” 

This award-winning financial reporting and transparency speaks volumes to the work of our outstanding finance team and their commitment to maintaining the highest accounting standards by following generally accepted accounting principles. Howard County remains committed to openly sharing our government spending activities with our taxpayers and ensuring our fiscal policy decisions are sound and responsible, and we are accountable for the taxpayer dollars entrusted to us.

Calvin Ball

Howard County Executive

Each fiscal year, the County issues its official, independently audited, comprehensive financial statement. The comprehensive report details government accounting activity for the benefit of county taxpayers, elected officials, investors, vendors, and consumers in a transparent and impartial fashion. The annual submission includes statements of special revenue, capital projects, enterprise, internal service and trust, custodial and general funds. It also discloses the County’s long-term obligations and fixed assets, including infrastructure, and statistical charts on multi-year tax collection and assessable base figures. 

 Receiving the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our Finance Department team. Their unwavering commitment to transparency, accuracy and excellence ensures that Howard County remains a model of fiscal responsibility. This achievement would not be possible without their hard work and professionalism and the entire County staff. 

Rafiu Ighile

Director, Department of Finance

The County’s Department of Finance collects and invests Howard County revenues in a fiscally responsible manner, provides financial services to taxpayers, businesses, agencies, residents, and employees, and pays bills for the County.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced tax credits available to older adult residents. As part of Howard County’s commitment to providing a high quality of life for our older residents, Ball is offering an Aging-in-Place tax credit equal to 20 percent of the County tax up to $650,000 of the assessed value.

Howard County anticipates an increase in the older adult population from 14 to 18 percent by 2025. As our residents live longer, healthier lives, it’s important that we evolve to meet their needs. For our older residents who wish to stay in their long-time homes, this tax credit is just one incentive to help make that choice feasible. We want to create a community where everyone feels safer, welcomed, and engaged.

Calvin Ball

Howard County Executive

In 2017, the Maryland General Assembly authorized the tax credit statewide to encourage older adults who wish to age in place in their longtime homes. The law allows local governments to pass individualized property tax credits for their jurisdictions. 

Eligibility for the tax credit requires a minimum age of 65 years old, and at least 30 years, as of June 30th preceding the tax year, residing in a dwelling with an assessed property value up to $650,000. Retired service members of the United States Armed Forces with 20 years of active service, or their surviving spouses, are also eligible for the credit. However, the surviving spouse must not be remarried. 

The number of years qualifying individuals may receive the credit is eight years.  The credit will automatically renew unless the homeowner is no longer eligible. Applications for the Aging-in-Place credit for tax year 2024 (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025) will be available on March 1st. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2024.

Alternatively, the Senior Tax Credit, a credit of 25 percent of the county property tax, is available to residents aged 65 and older with a combined household income of $102,200 or less and net assets under $500,000, not including the value of their home.  Applicants with income less than $60,000 are required to apply for the State of Maryland Homeowner Property Tax Credit Program here.

All other credits must be applied before this credit is granted.  Applications for the tax year 2024 (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025) will be available on March 1st. The deadline to apply is October 1, 2024. An online application is coming soon.

Additionally, homeowners with limited income may qualify for a 60 percent credit against the Trash Fee and Watershed Protection Fee and an exemption from the State Bay Fee. A family of four may qualify with income up to $78,000 for tax year 2024. Renters may also qualify for an exemption from the State Bay Fee. The deadline to apply for this tax credit is June 30, 2024. Seniors who receive the Senior tax credit will receive the hardship credit.

Another type of tax credit available to residents is the Livable Homes tax credit for certain types of accessibility features installed in a principal residence. The feature must have been installed in an existing primary residence. The amount of the credit is equal to 100% of the eligible cost or $2500, whichever is less. The application for tax year 2024 is due April 1, 2024. 

For more information, you can visit Tax Credits or call the Howard County Tax Customer Service Line at 410-313-2062 weekdays between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced the launch of an interactive, public dashboard highlighting the strategic use of Howard County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Powered by OpenGov, the ARPA Dashboard offers residents and visitors the opportunity to learn more about the various programs that have been supported through this funding, including notable performance metrics and outcomes.

When the ARPA Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program was enacted, we made a commitment to allocate and utilize these funds in an open, deliberative and transparent manner. The launch of this new dashboard holds us to our commitment and supports our broader initiative to create an environment of expanded government openness and transparency.

Calvin Ball

Howard County Executive

Under President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, which was passed by Congress in 2021, the County received more than $63.2 million in ARPA funding. During these last three years, the County worked innovatively and efficiently to leverage these federal relief dollars to support and promote a strong, resilient, and equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic for Howard County. This included important investments in education, public health, economic recovery, housing, infrastructure, and community services. Notably, County Executive Ball awarded $10 million to the Howard County Public School System for educator and bus driver bonuses, which was lauded by President Biden in 2022.

The federal ARPA allocation was also vital in supporting Howard County’s efforts to address the COVID-19 public health crisis. More than $10 million in funding was used to support these pressing health system needs, including critical health staffing, COVID-19 testing kits, face masks, and other public health priorities. Similarly, more than $10 million has been committed to directly support county residents through housing, food, and utility assistance programs. Through these ARPA investments, approximately 1,500 households participated in housing and utility assistance programs during the pandemic.

Other essential ARPA investments include $5 million for infrastructure investments, more than $4 million to support businesses and workforce, and more than $2 million to bolster innovation and technology through broadband and cybersecurity upgrades to county systems and facilities. 

The ARPA Dashboard is an innovative approach to transparency in presenting critical grants information to the public. This dashboard demonstrates the County’s commitment to fiscal accountability and transparency with our residents.

Rafiu Ighile

Director, Department of Finance

In 2023, the County contracted with OpenGov to provide timely information and enhance constituent communication. This new ARPA Dashboard is the first open budgeting tool to come of this partnership and is being piloted by the County in an effort to expand transparency and access around federal pandemic investments. Through this dashboard, residents can learn more about ARPA initiatives through Fiscal Year 2023 and explore performance metrics that detail the success and outcomes and different programs. To date, the County has committed more than 94 percent of federal ARPA funds and is on track to fully obligate funding by December 31, 2024.

As ARPA programs are developed and administered, the dashboard will be updated to highlight new county initiatives. For more information about the County’s ARPA funding and dashboard, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/finance/american-rescue-plan-arp-funding.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced that Howard County sets a national example of award-winning financial reporting and transparency as the county was recognized with the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada. The professional group recently honored the county for its efforts to openly share government spending activity with taxpayers and maintain the highest financial standards by following generally accepted accounting principles in the “Annual Comprehensive Financial Report” submission for Fiscal Year 2022.  

Our outstanding finance team demonstrates our commitment to the highest accounting standards and earns this recognition from professional peers at the GFOA. Howard County’s dedication to reporting and publicly sharing our government spending activities and sound fiscal policy decisions ensures that we are both responsible and accountable for the taxpayer dollars entrusted to us. I am deeply grateful for the department’s hard work, award-winning practices, and ongoing efforts to keep Howard County among the most innovative and efficient jurisdictions in the country. 

Calvin Ball

Howard County Executive

Each fiscal year, Howard County issues this official, independently-audited financial statement. The comprehensive report details government accounting activity for the benefit of county taxpayers, elected officials, investors, vendors and consumers in a transparent and impartial fashion. The annual submission includes statements of special revenue, capital projects, enterprise, internal service and trust, agency and general funds. It also discloses the county’s long-term obligations and fixed assets, including infrastructure, and statistical charts on multi-year tax collection and assessable base figures. 

We remain accountable to our community and we follow a spirit of full disclosure. I am proud to lead a team that puts integrity and superior quality into everything we do. This recognition by our peers is never taken for granted and encourages us to maintain our focus to accurately, clearly and honestly share the county’s financial condition with the taxpayers and other interested parties. 

Rafiu Ighile

Director, Department of Finance

The Department of Finance collects and invests county revenues in a fiscally responsible manner; provides financial services to taxpayers, businesses, agencies, residents and employees; and pays bills for the county. Howard County has earned this distinction for excellence for more than 45 years. 

GFOA advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources and practical research for more than 21,000 members and the communities they serve. Learn more about the national award program here.

Effective January 1, 2024, the minimum wage in Howard County will increase to $15.00 for employers.

Introduced by the Howard County Council this past November and signed by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball on December 13, 2021, Council Bill (CB) No. 82-2021 establishes a series of local minimum wage increases for employees working in Howard County beginning April 1st. This bill calls for the minimum wage in Howard County to rise (see table below) to $16.00 per hour by July 1, 2026, with increases set after that by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) starting in January 2027.

Howard County Government will raise its minimum wage to $15.00 on July 1, 2022 and to $16.00 on July 1, 2024.

This wage increase applies to any employer, meaning any person, individual, proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, corporation, limited liability company, trust, association, or other entity, that is operating and doing business in Howard County and employs one or more persons, in addition to the owners. This includes Howard County Government and the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS); however, it does not pertain to the United States, any State or any other local government operating in Howard County. 

As specified in CB82-2021, a small employer is considered:  

• An employer that employs 14 or fewer employees, which is defined a small employer under the Maryland Wage and Hour Law, specifically Labor and Employment Article of the Maryland Code, § 3-413(a)(3);
• An employer that has tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
• An employer that provides “home health services” as defined by 42 C.F.R. § 440.70 or “home or community-based services” as defined by 42 C.F.R. § 440.180, and receives at least 75 percent of gross revenues through State and Federal Medicaid programs; or 
• A food service facility as defined in Chapter 10.15.03.02 of the Code of Maryland Regulations.

For employees, this increase applies to any person permitted or instructed to work or be present by an employer in Howard County and who is subject to the minimum wage requirements of the Federal or State act. The wage increase, however, does not apply to individuals: 

• Under the age of 18. However, an employer must pay employees under 18 a wage that is equal to at least 85 percent of the County minimum wage established by CB82-2021.
• Under the age of 16 and employed no more than 20 hours a week.
• Employed as part of training in a special education program for emotionally, mentally or physically handicapped students under HCPSS.
• Employed as hand-harvest laborers and are paid on a piece-rate basis.
• Employed in agriculture if, during each quarter of the preceding calendar year, the employer used no more than 500 agricultural worker days.
• Who are the child, parent, spouse or other member of the immediate family of the employer.
• Employed in a non-administrative capacity at an organized camp, including a resident or day camp.
• Engaged in activities of a charitable, educational, nonprofit or religious organization if the service is provided gratuitously and there is, in fact, no employer-employee relationship.

The Maryland Department of Labor will enforce the minimum wage ordinance.

For more information about this increase, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/finance/minimum-wage.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced the launch of a new, easy-to-understand report of the county’s financial condition, called the Popular Annual Financial Report, for Fiscal Year 2021. This modified report is shorter and simpler than the fully audited Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), and is intended to provide the public with an overview of the county’s operations, programs and financial condition in an accessible and transparent format.

Our goal is to make sure every resident who seeks information about Howard County finances and operations can get what they need in a clear and concise manner. We are proud of our financial management, which has been recognized with an AAA rating from all three bond rating agencies, and with awards for our reporting. Our finance staff continues to uphold the highest accounting standards and helps us operate an innovative and efficient government, and the new report format is another step toward excellence and accountability. 

Calvin Ball

Howard County Executive

Each fiscal year, Howard County issues an official, independently-audited ACFR. The new report format provides high-level data on county revenues, including COVID-19 relief funding, current assets and liabilities, and the flow of expenses, as well as the status of capital project funding and rainy day funds. Through its Howard County At-a-Glance data, individuals can also see trends in demographic and employment statistics.

We are very excited to be able to issue our inaugural edition of the Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) to kick off a new financial report that will be beneficial to the public. This report extracts information from the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) specifically designed to be readily accessible and easily understandable to the residents, general public and other interested parties who do not have a background in public finance. Thanks to County Executive Ball for his encouragement to find new ways to communicate critical financial information to our residents and to my dedicated staff in the Department of Finance for their hard work to make this report a reality.

Rafiu Ighile

Director, Department of Finance

The Department of Finance collects and invests revenues in a fiscally responsible manner; provides financial services to taxpayers, businesses, agencies, residents and employees; and pays bills for the county. The department has been recognized for more than 45 years for “Excellence in Financial Reporting” by the Government Finance Officers Association.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced today that a total of $76 million Public Improvement (CPI) and Metropolitan District bonds were sold via a competitive bid process. True Interest Cost (TIC) for CPI and Metro Bonds came in at 2.20 and 2.64 respectively. These bonds are highly valued in the marketplace in large part due to the County’s AAA credit rating, which was affirmed by all three credit rating agencies last month. 

Howard County continues to demonstrate strong fiscal management and smart stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Our team worked thoughtfully to execute a successful bond sale, and this allows us to invest in our community with school construction and renovation, preserving green spaces, stormwater infrastructure and so much more, while respecting taxpayer dollars.

Calvin Ball

Howard County Executive

“We are very pleased with the competitive sale of the bonds and the interest received from the market,” said Finance Director Rafiu Ighile. “The number of bidders demonstrated how desirable our bonds are in the municipal market, which is a direct result of the fiscal management and leadership of the County as shown in our AAA ratings from the three major credit agencies for the past 25 years.”

Notable projects funded through the bond sale include:

• New Elementary School #42
• Talbott Springs Elementary replacement
• High School #13
• Blandair Regional Park
• Police Department building upgrades and renovations
• Storm drain improvements
• Upgrades the to the Little Patuxent Water Treatment facility

This month, Howard County was one of just 49 counties, among more than 3,000 in the U.S., to earn a AAA credit rating from all three bond ratings agencies. Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investor Services and Standard & Poor’s all noted Howard County’s strong economy and financial flexibility.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced that Howard County earned a prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada. The professional group recently honored the county for excellence in following generally accepted accounting principles and promoting transparency in the “Annual Comprehensive Financial Report” submission for Fiscal Year 2020.

Our professional finance staff continues to uphold the highest accounting standards to earn this recognition from their peers. Howard County’s commitment to sound fiscal reporting and transparency for government spending remains second to none. I want to thank everyone in our fantastic Finance Department for their hard work, award-winning excellence, and continued efforts to help make Howard County an innovative and efficient government.

Calvin Ball

Howard County Executive

Each fiscal year, Howard County issues an official, independently-audited financial statement. This comprehensive report offers transparency in government accounting for the benefit of county taxpayers, elected officials, investors, vendors and consumers. The annual submission includes statements of special revenue, capital projects, enterprise, internal service and trust, agency and general funds. It also discloses the county’s long-term obligations and fixed assets, including infrastructure, and statistical charts on multi-year tax collection and assessable base figures. 

I am so proud to lead this ongoing mission of integrity and superior quality in managing the county’s money. This recognition by our peers means that we do a tremendous job at being accountable to our community. It highlights the commitment and real sense of responsibility within our department to accurately, clearly and honestly share the county’s financial condition with the taxpayers and other interested parties.

Rafiu Ighile

Director, Department of Finance

The Department of Finance collects and invests revenues in a fiscally responsible manner; provides financial services to taxpayers, businesses, agencies, residents and employees; and pays bills for the county. 

GFOA represents more than 20,000 members as the premier association of public sector finance professionals providing support to state and local governments. Howard County has earned this distinction for more than 45 years. Learn more about this award program here.