[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6560968,"mediaKeyId","3303561-8a1df773497b43509e0d072b983a0077","parentId",3303561,"title","Council briefs: inspector general office funded for startup; staffing timeline discussed","audioSeconds",343,"startMs",6668000,"endMs",7011000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3303561-8a1df773497b43509e0d072b983a0077&start=6668&end=7011","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3303561-8a1df773497b43509e0d072b983a0077/thumbnail_6668000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6560968/Howard-County/Maryland/Council-briefs-inspector-general-office-funded-for-startup-staffing-timeline-discussed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560968-62f04ed8c37faa1dbef5ef8e9ad439df/orig.mp4?Expires=1770397042&Signature=Y~LSgMX885gSJrriaGUA2nTZVX70Lv~typiJNEK5UyKW5Wx38VDzkHT~mkZYH9UWpWCTs08WoU6qLweJcWx5ZNRxNyNQ6zijGZ-CCkMnVQKOumWY44x6AtIgOeKyZoIL32EAzItZgeAzElFp~kwYbC7UsWL~vx8J5szQkRWa~70Y99LUX2ro-P90kgY5lGwZNjm3emUUFt0YNZrRkIUcpiwkpYnBSZ6zjsMrTIAr4tT2FnMgJgwMzdw0Ew-RbwYbMFk4fKvim6NG0v87DWadf7O65phjfS9kqu9TbUW1q6LWIa~5l9O0~5VQ46jqV7GgtPmRgye6pZaYbg5giaFFIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Howard","date","2025-05-14T00:00:00Z","article","Howard County Council members and administration representatives discussed the budgeted startup of the Office of Inspector General (IG).

The administration said the FY26 proposed budget includes funding for an inspector general, a deputy and an investigator, staged across the early months of the fiscal year. The administration described the proposal as providing 12 months of funding for the inspector general, nine months for the deputy IG and six months for the investigator, reflecting anticipated hiring lead times. Council members asked whether the timing could be accelerated if a qualified candidate were available sooner; administration staff said they would return to the council to request additional funding if hiring accelerated.

Council members also observed that a pool of available federal IG staff and investigators — a consequence of recent federal IG staffing changes — could produce a quicker applicant pipeline. The administration said it intends to preserve operational independence for the IG and allow the IG to make subsequent staffing decisions for the office.

Why it matters: Creating an independent inspector general is a structural change in county oversight and requires clear expectations about staffing, office space and funding. The IG will be expected to set the office's operating priorities and staffing after appointment.

Next steps: The administration will move forward with the hiring process and the council will watch hiring timing; administrators said they will return for supplemental funding if the office can hire and deploy staff faster than the staged budget assumed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Howard - Budget Work Session - Operating #4 - May 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council and administration confirmed funding in the FY26 budget to begin an Office of Inspector General, with positions staged (IG, deputy, investigator) and the administration signaling flexibility if hiring can be accelerated.","taxTitle","Howard County, Maryland","taxId",13634,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6560972,"Council questions sustainability of disposable bag fee as grant revenue declines",333,3167000,3500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3303561-8a1df773497b43509e0d072b983a0077&start=3167&end=3500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3303561-8a1df773497b43509e0d072b983a0077/thumbnail_3167000.jpg","/articles/6560972/Howard-County/Maryland/Council-questions-sustainability-of-disposable-bag-fee-as-grant-revenue-declines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560972-7fd30cfd63ab31ad0f9de18c06da06f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770397042&Signature=eZPqv1uogt0GTGQjEL1duzoxfvlFI-ajbOBAIItuYcWJe0QSHg1yl~dKBbkmhramUjd6-7GNLkPbcq1w~AGRhmg1gAt3Xfs~XxZVuLWCr~Cexo7PhWbn~d~ruH9dbriYyxXoZ4Czn4PtfrPIpbyO45LV7pVBXIAvaCDJcKp90y9JMqnOrfm20yGx4w3c5eVbTT~pMb7S4l2DzOp9B85I0840K6N61~5wsDaRaxVlx-jgXE6RlBtdNmz1rtOjtUbm3bus0g5jpnKF37hA66pc7ZCt1iFxRFWAR8a2klMLS-MjIGEFIUwumFBnlSi2Nu1-Gl63~cZ8gZId54aMoTb~7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members asked detailed questions about the county's Disposable Bag Reduction Fee fund, expressing concern that falling revenues would make it an unreliable source for grants and to pay staff.

The Office of Community Sustainability reported FY26 projected disposable‑bag fee revenue of roughly $600,000 with an existing reserve of about $350,000 and noted the fund will decline as consumers use fewer single‑use bags. The administration said it awarded about $519,000 in grants last year to environmental, community and faith groups and used fund money to support one full‑time climate/community outreach position (75% from the plastics fund and 25% from the general fund) and two fellows in the Chesapeake Climate Conservation Corps. The fund also supported pilot projects such as electric landscaping equipment conversions and other outreach.

Council members said the fee's decline could force larger general‑fund subsidies to preserve grant programs or positions, which some members opposed. One councilmember said the initial intent of the fee was to reduce disposable bag use, and if the fee succeeds the revenue will decline — calling into question the fund’s long‑term role in paying staff or recurring programs.

Administration said they expect the fund to shrink but not disappear immediately and that they plan to progressively shift some personnel costs to the general fund (the community outreach position is currently 75% plastics fund/25% general fund) as revenue declines. The office forecasted increased competitiveness for grant awards and said it will prioritize projects with strong waste‑reduction outcomes.

Why it matters: The bag fee was enacted to change consumer behavior and fund waste reduction work. Council members said the county should avoid creating recurring obligations (positions or programs) reliant on a declining, behavior‑driven revenue stream and requested a list of grant recipients and a clearer plan for transitioning any staff costs to the general fund or other sources.

Next steps: Administration agreed to provide an updated list of planned grant recipients, the latest noncompliance rate for fee collection, and scenario estimates showing how long the fund balance will sustain current commitments under multiple revenue trajectories.","Council members pressed county staff about the Disposable Bag Reduction Fee fund, noting declining revenue, growing grant payouts and the fund's use to pay for positions. Administration said the fund will decline but currently supports environmental grants and one partially funded permanent position.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6560976,"Council presses administration on use of fund balance, chargeback reductions and a plan of 60 business‑day building closures",1014,3424000,4438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3303561-8a1df773497b43509e0d072b983a0077&start=3424&end=4438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3303561-8a1df773497b43509e0d072b983a0077/thumbnail_3424000.jpg","/articles/6560976/Howard-County/Maryland/Council-presses-administration-on-use-of-fund-balance-chargeback-reductions-and-a-plan-of-60-businessday-building-closures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560976-c0afc5e32e4b482d5e0a18a3ea793685/orig.mp4?Expires=1770397042&Signature=FcIvrpV1xqwF~SAA2fjMggeu3LBS0lgoh9f1fsm0o0myXyEyMFyKsTFv5CCGllRoWR5c74iQ6Auy4vOpxl--VeZUQc95RCeRqHZOxQIKqmuDHrFjFx7b4yQwKPVw2oKGGXOUouGn~fFkeX93T3jsU3jf3x1lovEj~3d~bwhbe9edlyNPywCdyb4n-TAY8jR~fFhtO-B0DpI2b~Res~I9Y8HEaQakm5m3RMyqOHm0P9QN4FrXL592W91~ZtcfJQVZIwIjp8~hy6AC0d94UUIPjuLxku5vscSLff8JuWVeNua9zBjIilmOybFe8km5213SfxkdhLBMnzHze89OcftguA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members pressed the administration about a suite of cost‑saving measures and the administration's plan to rely on internal fund balance to lower FY26 chargebacks for internal service funds.

The Office of County Administration and Finance summarized several near‑term savings strategies that, together, they estimate will reduce county expense pressure. Those include using fund balance in four internal service funds (health benefits, technology, risk management and fleet) to reduce chargebacks to user departments (estimated $8.9 million total), an expected reduction in plastics‑fee revenues, IT and mobile stipend reductions, vacancy freezes, and a plan to close selected county buildings on 60 business days to save energy, custodial and security costs (the administration estimated $400,000 in savings for building closures).

Several council members objected to relying on fund balance to cover recurring costs and to the idea of 60 business‑day closures (described as employees working remotely on those days). Councilmember comments stressed operational constraints (for example, council chambers and permitting offices must remain accessible for public meetings and services) and raised the perception risk of telework. The administration said closures would be days worked from home, not paid days off, and that many operational roles would be excepted; they said closures were chosen in part to reduce ramp‑up energy costs and would be scheduled primarily on Mondays and with office‑by‑office coordination.

Use of fund balance and internal service fund reserves: Budget staff said that rather than increase chargebacks fully this year, they plan to rely more heavily on reserves in FY26. The administration described that as a short‑term strategy in a year of competing priorities and said it is not sustainable long term. Council members asked for data on fund balances for each internal service fund and for a before/after list showing which fleet vehicles and IT replacements were deferred or accelerated.

Why it matters: Council members emphasized that using one‑time reserves to cover recurring charges shifts the problem to future budgets and reduces transparency on ongoing costs. They asked the administration to provide additional detail on which positions, services and grants are at risk if reserves are exhausted and how chargebacks will be restored in subsequent years.

Next steps: Administration agreed to provide a more detailed fund‑by‑fund breakdown of reserves used, the planned schedule and criteria for building closures, and a list of fleet reductions and deferred replacements tied to the expected savings.","Council members questioned administration plans to use fund balance in multiple internal service funds to lower chargebacks and a proposed 60 business‑day building‑closure schedule intended to save $400,000; administration said many moves are one‑time and will require monitoring.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6560981,"Officials say ARPA funds have been obligated; finance director explains why ARPA spending is not listed in operating budget",474,998000,1472000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3303561-8a1df773497b43509e0d072b983a0077&start=998&end=1472","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3303561-8a1df773497b43509e0d072b983a0077/thumbnail_998000.jpg","/articles/6560981/Howard-County/Maryland/Officials-say-ARPA-funds-have-been-obligated-finance-director-explains-why-ARPA-spending-is-not-listed-in-operating-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560981-1ebc19cea7bc794c8b3ce324cda9166a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770397042&Signature=Yc2uqkGFS0EXillHBqLPYWXUb~D6KlPLeSRclGTlt1BuzfheYTKx3BO22RDUDRl6z4EgmaDHxYWh2t4V4yiVpcBXYMS7GKnu2cPMN9fnsqHIN8cmjg14Rubdd-zPQzBIQUQ5uPEwjue791J7ZTbLlPT261n6ODTIGJtIxFfQ3lbNCvL2JmIdfIrNYN0fNPc5KB27CD5rNPSXWzcfLDo1IW9z9E0QWKyCmuK1pDzgvVIwQ1xqcrXKDD7X-Aaj1IGBhQl6GnmF2Wn2rglR-DAnWu2fGNttshXVtSNHgTYvzPub8Vxl4z4TEY4yvo9boXwSpivIofgcLDz5Pwvxty2Cmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Howard County finance staff told the County Council that the county obligated its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation and that ARPA expenditures are tracked separately from the annual operating‑budget book.

Finance Director Rafael Imele (spoke to the council as Rafael Healy/Healy in the transcript) and Budget Director Holly Sung told council members that the county accepted the ARPA grant appropriation in 2022, assigned the funds to grant accounts and is required to report spending in quarterly reports to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and in the annual single audit. The directors said the county had an obligation deadline to obligate funds by Dec. 31, 2024 and must fully spend remaining ARPA obligations by Dec. 31, 2026.

Why it matters: Multiple council members asked why ARPA spending and remaining balances were not visible in the FY26 budget book. Finance staff responded that ARPA was appropriated into a separate grant fund in prior years so it does not appear as a new appropriation in the operating‑budget book; instead, ARPA spending will be visible in departmental grant detail, in SAP accounting records, the county's quarterly Treasury reports and the single audit documents posted on the county website.

Details and follow up: The finance director said the county had obligated ARPA funds for ongoing programs such as extended salaries for before‑and‑after‑care recreation programs and for capital projects requiring multi‑year spending. He said roughly 80% of ARPA funds had been spent or obligated and the remainder were intended for continuing programs that span fiscal years. Council members requested more detailed breakdowns (spent-to-date, remaining appropriation and program-level details) and were told those are available in the SAP financial system and the posted Treasury reports and single audit files.

Council members asked whether the council retains oversight over ARPA funds. Finance and budget staff said the council approved the initial appropriations, the county tracks spending in the grant fund, and the county posts detailed reports to maintain transparency; some council members said they had proposed earlier amendments seeking additional council review. Finance staff said audit and reporting requirements for ARPA are strict and noncompliance can trigger returning funds to the Treasury.

Outlook: Council members asked finance to provide more accessible, program‑level ARPA detail tied to departmental spending in follow‑up materials and to clarify how remaining balances will be monitored as obligations are spent down through 2026.","Finance staff told council ARPA appropriations were obligated in 2022 and tracking of spend occurs through the county's grant fund, quarterly Treasury reports and the single audit; ARPA money is not re-authorized in the annual operating budget but expenditures are tracked and reported.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6560986,"Howard County executive proposes maintenance operating budget and $2.5 million PAYGO to address possible federal funding cuts",136,116000,252000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3303561-8a1df773497b43509e0d072b983a0077&start=116&end=252","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3303561-8a1df773497b43509e0d072b983a0077/thumbnail_116000.jpg","/articles/6560986/Howard-County/Maryland/Howard-County-executive-proposes-maintenance-operating-budget-and-25-million-PAYGO-to-address-possible-federal-funding-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560986-244d2d80eb953050aeb51d91a23d5e62/orig.mp4?Expires=1770397042&Signature=MEn6xEbHzoOnm3FheProbXgG4IbYv7nIiCD~0TcBZleCuMqa9We8fnjocoTRh3ZVSutwBalWD9Md~EXVqOD~baCBvCj22MenwBsQDLP90DfKwcnmVKrV7kst9jfyT5PuorORKJR15Oj8Zkf6nGCbbGxRE2Mvox56uEFNhqjmk2Zs4si3ULltCGKPOyQd25g5Toognq5b~TNcYBOqohYJcwA~yhdDBgfzejaqW09Q0P2OKb~Y59meVIPSbE0nLh08zZwM9cJ3uSbqsBjtFsJK6NJXzMO~xOBw9emaJlkeG9RjR8EESkrKYDEZ7~qME0aUFoS1ulhPv6fClM3sDef86A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Executive chief of staff Angela Cabellon told the Howard County Council during a May budget work session that the Office of the County Executive is seeking a maintenance operating budget for fiscal 2026 with a 3.8% increase over FY25, driven mainly by countywide chargebacks such as updated data processing charges. Cabellon said excluding personnel and chargebacks the office's budget rises 0.16%.

Cabellon said the administration is proposing $2,500,000 in one‑time PAYGO funds to respond to emerging federal impacts that could reduce funding for programs such as Head Start, housing assistance and other federally supported services. \"We are proposing 2,500,000 in PAYGO funding to be able to address the emerging federal impacts,\" Cabellon said. Deputy Chief of Staff Felix Bachine and other staff told the council they are monitoring delayed federal payments and contractor impacts and plan to use the PAYGO pool both to respond immediately and to invest strategically.

Why it matters: Council members repeatedly pressed the administration about how the county will track and use one‑time PAYGO funds and whether the amount is sufficient compared with neighboring jurisdictions. Vice Chair Jones and other members highlighted uncertainty in federal budgets and possible cuts to programs that support families, nonprofits and businesses, saying the $2.5 million is intended to provide a flexible bridge as federal decisions unfold.

Cabellon also highlighted non‑budget initiatives linked to economic resilience and youth services. She said the administration chairs an Economic Competitiveness and Opportunity Task Force that is working with the Howard County Economic Development Authority (EDA) on business interventions and cited a newly opened Cyber Howard accelerator as an example of work to expand the tax base. Cabellon described the county's YES (Youth Engagement Strategies) Council as a multi‑stakeholder effort focused on youth engagement and violence prevention; she said the administration has included funding for youth engagement and expects the YES Council and related grant programs to continue.

Council reaction and clarifications: Council members asked staff to explain the drivers of the large chargeback increases; staff said an updated inventory of IT devices after the COVID distribution of laptops revealed more devices assigned to some departments and led to catch‑up charges. Several council members pressed for more detail on how PAYGO funds will be spent if federal cuts materialize, and whether the county will use other reserves in combination with PAYGO. Cabellon said the county will pair immediate flexibility with task‑force recommendations to target supports where needed.

Outlook: The administration characterized the FY26 request as largely maintenance while setting aside one‑time funds to manage fast‑moving federal risks and continuing investment in youth engagement and economic development programs. The council signaled it will press for continuing transparency on how one‑time PAYGO and chargeback changes are tracked and reported.","County Executive staff requested a largely maintenance FY26 operating budget (3.8% increase) and proposed $2.5 million in one‑time PAYGO to respond to potential federal funding reductions, while highlighting youth engagement and economic development initiatives.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council briefs: inspector general office funded for startup; staffing timeline discussed

Council questions sustainability of disposable bag fee as grant revenue declines

Council presses administration on use of fund balance, chargeback reductions and a plan of 60 business‑day building closures

Officials say ARPA funds have been obligated; finance director explains why ARPA spending is not listed in operating budget

Howard County executive proposes maintenance operating budget and $2.5 million PAYGO to address possible federal funding cuts