The Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball launched an Online Open House to provide information and gather feedback as part of the Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan process. The site focuses on several key downtown areas where significant changes to previously-proposed master plan ideas are likely, given the flood mitigation work under the Safe and Sound plan.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball releases the following statement regarding “Woodstock 50," a music festival marking the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock Music & Art Fair, taking place at Merriweather Post Pavilion.

The Howard County Human Rights Commission is currently accepting applications for the position of Student Commissioner to serve a one-year term from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 as a non-voting member on the Commission. The deadline for applications has been extended to Friday, August 2, 2019.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is seeking applicants who are interested in serving on the Commission for Veterans and Military Families. The deadline to apply is Friday, August 23, 2019.

Today, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball was joined by Department of Recreation & Parks Director Raul Delerme, Special Olympics Maryland Howard County Bob Baker and elected officials, as he officially opened four new synthetic-turf bocce courts at Cedar Lane Park West, located at 5081 Cedar Lane in Columbia.

The County's Department of Public Works will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, August 13 to present the plans for a project to repair the Calvert Ridge stormwater management pond adjacent to 7078 Calvert Drive in Elkridge. The project will improve water quality treatment of stormwater and to improve the functionality and maintainability of the stormwater management system.

ELLICOTT CITY – Today, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball released the following statement regarding recent public safety concerns: “I am deeply saddened by any loss of life, particularly in our county and I pray that our community will be guided by our better nature to come together as one.”

Today, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced Raul Delerme will serve as the new Howard County Recreation & Parks Director, taking over for John Byrd. Delerme has been with Recreation & Parks since 1990.

On Friday, County Executive Ball will attend the ribbon-cutting for Vintage Chic, a new vintage home goods shop on Main Street in historic Ellicott City. The shop will be the newest of 13 boutiques, restaurants, and other businesses that have opened in Ellicott City since Ball took office.

In response to “Code Red” heat advisories and predicted high temperatures over the coming weekend, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is reminding residents to exercise caution and avoid the heat. 

On Thursday, County Executive Ball and other Howard County officials will hand deliver emergency preparedness packets to business owners on Main Street in historic Ellicott City. As part of Ball’s Safe and Sound Plan, the packets will include materials to help businesses form an emergency plan in case of flooding and access helpful County resources.

Howard County’s Departments of Public Works and Community Resources and Services will hold two public meetings on Thursday, July 18, to discuss the planned renovation of the Bain 50+ Center, set to begin August 2019.

Today, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced that the Howard County Office of Purchasing has begun soliciting bids for healthy vending machines in Howard County government buildings and facilities. The bids are due August 14th.

Howard County’s Department of Public Works (DPW) will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, July 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the Columbia/Ellicott City Room at the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City, to present plans for a nearby culvert and storm drain enhancement project.

Howard County Police do not and will not assist ICE in the enforcement of civil violations of federal immigration laws. Howard County Government has not received any reports of ICE raids in Howard County, but we encourage all undocumented people to be aware of their rights.

The County's Department of Planning and Zoning launched a public virtual workshop for Phase 2 of the Route 1 Corridor Master Plan. The plan will activate transportation, infrastructure, land use and economic development implementation strategies to improve vibrancy and livability throughout the Route 1 corridor.

Howard County's Commission on Disabilities has announced nominations forms are now available for its 2019 awards program, which annually recognizes outstanding efforts by individuals, businesses and community organizations that advance full participation in community life for all residents, while promoting the spirit and intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability rights laws.

Howard County’s Departments of Public Works will hold an onsite public meeting on Wednesday, July 31 at the storm drain between 9696 Riverside Circle and 9690 Gwynn Park Drive in the Gwynn Acres neighborhood of Ellicott City to discuss an outfall stabilization project at the site.

Howard County Government and Department of Community Resources and Services Director, Jacqueline Scott honored the outstanding achievements of graduates of the County’s “Getting Ahead” program and presented five local businesses with a 2019 “HIRE Power” Award.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball released a statement after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) filed a motion to hold Maryland’s case in abeyance while the agency reconsiders its letter challenging the State over the issue of new flight patterns.

Howard County’s Department of Public Works will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, July 23 to discuss a drainage improvement project in the vicinity of 3013 Greenway Drive in the Valley Mede neighborhood of Ellicott City.

A Howard County construction project to rehabilitate a portion of the public sewers in the Sewells Orchard neighborhood of Columbia is scheduled to begin on or about Monday, July 22. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by mid-August. 

On Tuesday, July 9th, Howard County and the Office of Community Partnerships will honor the graduates of the “Getting Ahead” program, and will present five local businesses with a 2019 “HIRE Power” Award. The ceremony honors work to alleviate poverty and support local job growth.

Howard County continued a string of 43 years earning a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada. The professional group again recently honored the county for excellence in following generally accepted accounting principles in the “Comprehensive Annual Financial Report” (CAFR) submission for Fiscal Year 2018.