ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has announced the Spending Affordability Advisory Committee (SAAC) for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). The SAAC is a non-partisan body charged with providing policy advice to the County Executive on fiscal planning. The committee is made up of residents representing different disciplines and areas of expertise, and includes representation from educational entities, council staff and executive staff.
Our budget reflects our values, our priorities and most importantly, our outcomes. As we continue to recover from the pandemic, we want to make sure we are financially well prepared to meet the increasing demands for infrastructure and services, while practicing fiscal responsibly. I appreciate this committee of experts to ensure we do just that by providing us with the guidance needed to help us predict future revenue projections for our capital and operating budgets.
The SAAC will hold several meetings in January and February to review in detail the status and projections of revenues and expenditures for the County, not only for FY26, but also for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. The SAAC will also evaluate future County revenue levels and consider the impact of economic indicators, such as changes in personal income, assessable base growth and other data which the committee considers applicable. Finally, the SAAC will evaluate expenditure levels with consideration of the long-term obligations facing the County, and the best way to pay for them. Most meetings will be held virtually and will be livestreamed online.
The SAAC will deliver a comprehensive report to the County Executive by March 1, 2025, that includes:
- Projected General Fund revenues for the upcoming fiscal year;
- Recommended new County debt (General Obligation bonds) authorization;
- An analysis of the long-term fiscal outlook, including multi-year projections; and
- Other findings and/or recommendations the committee deems appropriate
The following residents were named Voting Members:
- Todd Arterburn (Committee Vice Chair)
- Richard Clinch, Ph.D.
- Barbara Glenn, Farm Bureau
- Ellen Flynn Giles
- Steve Hunt
- Daraius Irani, Ph.D.
- Jimmie Jennings, Howard County Association of Realtors
- Barbara K. Lawson
- Shawn MacInnes, Columbia Association
- Kristi Simon, Howard County Chamber
- Joshua Tzuker
Non-Voting Members:
- Angela Brade, Howard County Library System
- Tyria Stone, Ph.D., Howard Community College
- Meg Ricks, Howard County Board of Education
- Brian Hull, Howard County Public School System