ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is seeking applicants to serve on the Advisory Board on Consumer Protection, specifically a person representing a consumer interest group. The deadline to apply for this vacancy is Friday, December 15th.
Our Advisory Board on Consumer Protection plays a vital role in addressing new scams and consumer issues and needs, as well as protecting our Howard County consumers. I encourage residents who are interested in this important work and who have worked with or are currently employed by a consumer interest group or organization, to join this board and support its efforts to improve consumer protection services here in Howard County.
The Board is comprised of seven voting members, with at least two members representing consumer interest groups, two members representing business interest groups, one member representing an economically disadvantaged group and two members representing the general public. Board member responsibilities include participating in community activities, developing programs, conducting research, reviewing legislation and advising the Department of Community Resources and Services’ Office of Consumer Protection and the County Executive on policies, programs and practices that can improve consumer protection-related services in the county.
To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be a Howard County resident, be 18 years of age or older, have an interest in consumer issues, meet the mentioned category above and be able to attend the Board’s meetings, which are held the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia. Meetings may be held virtually at the Board’s request.
Interested applicants should complete an application online by visiting www.howardcountymd.gov/applybc and selecting “Advisory Board on Consumer Protection” in the form. The names of eligible applicants will be submitted to the County Executive for consideration. If approved, the appointment will be forwarded to the County Council for confirmation. For any questions regarding the application process, please email ApplyBC@howardcountymd.gov.
The Office of Consumer Protection provides information about current scams, assists in resolving consumer-merchant and landlord-tenant disputes, and enforces Howard County consumer protection laws. The Advisory Board works with the Office to educate and protect county consumers. Board members also provide feedback and recommendations on the Office’s programs and educating county residents about consumer protection services.
For more information on the Advisory Board on Consumer Protection, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/boards-commissions/advisory-board-consumer-protection or contact the Office of Consumer Protection at 410-313-6420.