About
The Spending Affordability Advisory Committee (SAAC) is tasked with making recommendations to the County Executive on revenue projections, General Obligation bond authorizations, long-term fiscal outlook, and County revenue and spending patterns.
SAAC is directed to prepare and present a report to the County Executive, on or before March 1 annually including:
- 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 that the committee deems appropriate.
To read the SAAC's Report for the Fiscal Year 2025, click HERE.
Committee Members
The committee consists of citizens and representatives of major organizations along with county staff to serve as advisors to the Committee. Each member of the County Council was invited to nominate one member.
Voting Members
- Todd Arterburn
- Dennis Mattey, Columbia Association
- Richard Clinch, Ph.D.
- Howie Feaga, Farm Bureau
- Ellen Flynn Giles
- John C. Hendrickson
- Steve Hunt
- Daraius Irani, Ph.D.
- Jimmie Jennings, Howard County Association of Realtors
- Barbara K. Lawson
- Steve Poynot (Committee Vice Chair)
- Joshua Tzuker
Non-Voting Members
- Angela Brade, Howard County Library System
- Tyria Stone, Ph.D., Howard Community College
- Yun Lu, Ph.D., Howard County Board of Education
- Darin Conforti, Howard County Public School System
Chair
- Holly Sun, Ph.D., County Budget Administrator
Advisors (County Staff)
- Angela Cabellon, Chief of Staff
- Owen Clark, Acting County Auditor
- Raul Delerme, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
- Brandee Ganz, Chief Administrative Officer
- Rafiu Ighile, Director, Department of Finance
- Jennifer Jones, CEO, Economic Development Authority
2024 SAAC Meeting Dates
Wednesday, January 3rd, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
- Confirmed Speakers – FY24 SAAC rept recap and budget update, HoCo by Design update, demographic/development trends
- Meeting Video
Wednesday, January 17th, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
- Confirmed Speakers – EDA business panel, Realtor’s Association briefing, HCLS
- Meeting Video
Wednesday, January 24th, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
- Confirmed Speakers – HCPSS SI proposed budget, blueprint task force briefing, HCC
- Meeting Video
Monday, January 29th, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
- Confirmed Speakers – Economic outlook – Dr. Irani and Dr. Clinch, TBD (possible fee discussion)
- Meeting Video
Wednesday, February 7th, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
- Confirmed Speakers – Revenue forecast, debt & credit rating update, 6-yr projections
- Meeting Video
Monday, February 12th, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
- Confirmed Speakers – Report key recommendations discussion – 1
- Meeting Video
Wednesday, February 14th, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. (CANCELLED)
- Confirmed Speakers – Report key recommendations discussion – 2
- Meeting Video
Monday, February 26th, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
- Confirmed Speakers – Review and vote on draft report
- Meeting Video
Wednesday, February 28th, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. (CANCELLED)
- Confirmed Speakers – Backup date (if 2/26 meeting does not finish views/voting)
- Meeting Video
Meeting Videos
2023
2022
2022 Meeting Videos
February 24, 2022
February 17, 2022
February 8, 2022
February 4, 2022
January 27, 2022
January 20, 2022
January 13, 2022
January 7, 2022
2021
January 28, 2021
January 21, 2021
January 7, 2021
2020
December 17, 2020
December 10, 2020
December 3, 2020
November 19, 2020