April 1, 2019
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
Supports strategic priorities including education, economic development, Ellicott City flood mitigation, public safety, improved facilities for seniors and transportation
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today presented to the County Council a $206.3 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Fiscal Year 2020, including $89.8 million from General Obligation (GO) bonds.
The Spending Affordability Advisory Committee reported this year that revenues have slowed while debt service payments have rapidly grown in recent years. With this tough reality in mind, the committee recommended a GO bond authorization of $70 million, even lower than their $75 million recommendation last year. The committee urged the county to keep its overall debt burden at a manageable level “without impacting the county’s capacity to support various service priorities identified in the operating budget.” This GO bond amount in FY 2020, the lowest in the past 14 years, reflects our understanding of the severe fiscal reality and indicates our commitment to protecting and strengthening the county’s financial sustainability.
“Despite the fiscal challenges we face, the proposed budget provides necessary support to the strategic priorities of the community,” said Ball. “These include investing in building new and expanded school buildings, the Ellicott City flood mitigation plan, facilities for our senior residents, transportation improvements (including roads, bikeways, sidewalks, and bus stops), new fire stations, technology infrastructure, and more. I am confident that we have delivered a well-thought out proposal that supports the priorities of this community and balances our fiscal constraints.”
Education remains the top budget priority, with $54.6 million slated for the Howard County Board of Education, including $48.5 million from County funds. The balance is from state funds. County funding exceeds the average of the past four years and the County’s contribution supports 89 percent of the total school system capital budget, the highest share in the last 15 years. The budget allocates funds for new school construction to meet enrollment growth, renovation of aging schools, systemic renovations, enhanced school security and improved technology.
Highlights of the FY 2020 CIP budget include:
Education
- $9 million in County funding for High School #13.
- $9.5 million in County funding for the Talbott Springs Elementary School replacement.
- $12.5 million in County funding toward the Hammond High School renovation and addition to increase capacity.
- $13.6 million in County funding for systemic renovations and roofing projects
- $2 million to complete land acquisition for an elementary school in the Turf Valley neighborhood.
- $1.4 million in County funding to Howard Community College to begin design of a new mathematics building and athletics complex.
Old Ellicott City and Valley Mede
- $15.3 million for projects in the Tiber-Hudson watershed including:
- storm drain improvements
- design of storm water retention facilities
Transportation and Infrastructure
- $2.2 million for bicycle infrastructure in the 48-mile BikeHoward Express network, the largest single year investment ever dedicated solely for this purpose.
- $5 million in PAYGO funds for 36 miles of road repaving.
Business and Economic Development
- Gateway Innovation Center will continue moving on schedule, with first phase of construction completed in FY 2020.
Community Services
- $4.9 million to complete improvements and renovation of the Florence Bain 50+ Center and continue design of an expanded East Columbia 50+ Center.
- $1.5 million for planned bid, permitting and site work for the North Laurel Community Pool.
Public Safety
- Finalizing the acquisition of state property and starting a redesign of the Waterloo Fire Station to reduce the building size and improve cost efficiency.
- Design and construction of a new fire station in North Columbia.
- $500,000 to complete a four-year project to replace and upgrade our public safety radio system, enhancing communication for our police, firefighters, and other public safety officers.
Recreation and Parks
- $2 million to invest in existing infrastructure and park improvement projects.
- Proceeding with phase three of Blandair Park, which includes the much-awaited “Playground for All,” for children of various abilities and a maintenance building that will serve the entire 300-acre park.
- $2 million from a Program Open Space Development Grant to complete construction of the restroom, storage building and bleachers for Field #1 in Troy Park.
The Howard County Council will hold a public hearing on the CIP budget on April 9 at 7:00 PM in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building at 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City. The FY 2020 CIP budget can be reviewed at https://www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/County-Administration/Budget.