[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6528358,"mediaKeyId","3407542-7211e27b9102bd84e6a9341d45b2c02a","parentId",3407542,"title","Library workers tell council management is backing away from negotiated 4% COLA; county staff say they do not negotiate library contracts","audioSeconds",506,"startMs",4074000,"endMs",3568000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3407542-7211e27b9102bd84e6a9341d45b2c02a&start=4074&end=3568","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3407542-7211e27b9102bd84e6a9341d45b2c02a/thumbnail_4074000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6528358/Howard-County/Maryland/Library-workers-tell-council-management-is-backing-away-from-negotiated-4-COLA-county-staff-say-they-do-not-negotiate-library-contracts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528358-0bdf46be51bc3c72209b2999dfef616d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442738&Signature=XapCXr1Hsf6m3t2HUkQ2MzYipcVU~mDPCEQMBmEz5gn4cLyGWLK1RCLN~XvcJPUoOEJ2LAPHTG4MpePDnsjURdTs4K-ViQDqIO4ZnOgD0edAb~KNsW47QMx0U2obOCWl-Cuuvhhmh-QHHOHbxLbQd8Do~Hon4tAmgMI3ztW~yO4Se6hZdN5OmVFUDM~8One6Jg2m4xLjyXYx4r654Mu0dp3hzSkMh9Azu~AVXl22U6kMOdz3Aj6xCX9e1o5Vwf2JWaxdeaeE59~Gly6ehXwCGum1f9B4FFikBtyZM91Va-cAVTcyA5olTxj4Pzo93ICQJye2MEtvfUQ~vrS3LgucJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Howard","date","2025-05-19T00:00:00Z","article","Employees of the Howard County Library System testified that the system's management is not honoring a negotiated contract provision for a 4% cost-of-living adjustment for FY26 and asked the county council to ensure funds are available to pay the agreed increases.

Gabriela Perez Pe\u0000f1aloza, a customer service specialist at Miller Branch and a member of Howard County Library Workers United (AFSCME), told the council that the union ratified a contract including a 4% COLA and a 3% step increase for eligible members in FY26. \"The 4% cost of living adjustment we negotiated isn't just a number. It's a lifeline that helps me and others like me to continue living and working in the community we love and serve,\" she said. Perez said library management later announced intent to fund only a 2% COLA and that the union had been told the county executive would not support the 4% increase.

Library workers also said they attempted to raise concerns during a systemwide professional development day and were prevented from speaking. Perez said the library CEO took the microphone from a union member and would not allow the union to address the assembled staff during the break.

Brook Mammo of the county budget office responded to testimony by clarifying the county's role: \"The county provides funding to the library system, but we don't directly negotiate in any of their, you know, pay negotiations. We have no involvement.\" Mammo said she had seen an email referenced by testifiers but reiterated that the county does not directly negotiate the library's labor contracts.

No legislative action was taken at the public hearing on library funding. Testifiers urged the council to confirm that funds allocated to the library in the county budget will be sufficient to honor collectively bargained agreements that have been ratified by union membership and approved by the library board.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Howard - Legislative Public Hearing - May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Employees of the Howard County Library System testified that the system's management is not honoring a negotiated contract provision for a 4% cost-of-living adjustment for FY26 and asked the county council to ensure funds are available to pay the agreed increases.","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},6528362,"Howard County public hearing draws students, educators and county staff on proposal to use surplus for schools",3413,241000,3654000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3407542-7211e27b9102bd84e6a9341d45b2c02a&start=241&end=3654","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3407542-7211e27b9102bd84e6a9341d45b2c02a/thumbnail_241000.jpg","/articles/6528362/Howard-County/Maryland/Howard-County-public-hearing-draws-students-educators-and-county-staff-on-proposal-to-use-surplus-for-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528362-615be9320d6b8ac0e0b70cea848e45f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442738&Signature=o0wjD4Kd6xVd1VsZXwTfsN8ZznYwfkNnr8U4SaBnsrq1fI80cQnpndTncpzPqJ4UV7YMDizsH3HyiWbuDLjbrq2wN83pGrEfS18nkZS1M9ssbFrcAIIfnH~Krsl3NlV7GZErGObPG1MqA3-mZNp-VfMmgVf-bXmUASnAPVKtyGymH4B8PbXeWpy1hRRsilEefFgNW4nUJFqr12q59ofEaEPFnpzV1s1Yjc~hkdk3oZeK2o9FVPVIgkZrA1N5eXbT1HKesXUUwfNNGV41DZnR2kgegsX6F12SumkW3G5IO8i1c85P9oXgvIhGwCt10tSQ8oB4Pd7d0wxjuIigNFc6Vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A proposal to allow the county to use up to $14.5 million in excess surplus revenue to help fund the Howard County Public School System drew broad public testimony during the council's May legislative public hearing.

Students, parents, union leaders and county budget staff described the same immediate problem from different perspectives: classroom cuts, loss of staff and narrowing course offerings on one hand, and limits to sustainable one-time funding on the other.

Supporters said the amendment to the charter and the $14.5 million one-time allocation (filed as Council Bill 45, 2025) would prevent further program and staff reductions while longer-term budget choices are considered. \"I'm here to speak in strong support of CB 45 20 25, which would allow access access funds to be used towards our public school system,\" said Henry Yarmus, a junior at River Hill High School. Student speaker Gavin Falcone said the funding is \"more than a budget line. It means hope. It means a chance to hold on to the teachers, classes, and support we need to succeed.\"

Educators and parent advocates pressed the council to restore the county's historical share of school funding. Kat Carter, vice president of advocacy for the Howard County PTA Council, told the council that the school share of recurring county revenues has declined since FY22 and asked the council to close a multi-million-dollar gap so the school system can maintain same-service levels.

Benjamin Schmidt, president of the Howard County Education Association, urged passage of CB45 and related amendments, saying additional one-time funding \"would provide $18,700,000 in additional funding to help HCPSS close the $29,200,000 budget gap\" but warned that a remaining shortfall would persist absent further action.

Brook Mammo, deputy director of the county budget office, described the administration's proposal and the budget impacts. \"The administration proposes to amend the charter restriction on use of surplus revenues, to support ongoing expenses and provide 1 time additional funding of $14,500,000 to the school system,\" Mammo said, adding that the change would increase proposed direct county funding to the schools from $800,000,000 to $814,500,000 (described in testimony as a one-time increase affecting FY26). Mammo emphasized the administration view that using one-time funds for recurring costs is not sustainable over multiple years.

Council members and other testifiers debated options raised in public testimony, including use of HCPSS fund balances, health fund balances and budget reallocations elsewhere in county government. Several speakers, including Anthony and Jacqueline Dibella, urged a memorandum of understanding between the county executive and the Board of Education to clarify timelines and shared risk if one-time balances are used.

No final vote on CB45 or related budget bills occurred at the hearing; council staff noted future legislative sessions for final consideration. The council's calendar referenced additional deliberations: a legislative session for final consideration of certain budget legislation was scheduled for May 21 and non-budget legislation for June 2, per the hearing announcements.

Ending: The council took no final action on CB45 during the public hearing; the measure and related budget amendments will return to the council for future legislative consideration.","A proposal to allow the county to use up to $14.5 million in excess surplus revenue to help fund the Howard County Public School System drew broad public testimony during the council's May legislative public hearing.",{"_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},6528353,"Auxiliary officers ask council to extend public-safety tax credit to volunteers",293,1603000,1896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3407542-7211e27b9102bd84e6a9341d45b2c02a&start=1603&end=1896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3407542-7211e27b9102bd84e6a9341d45b2c02a/thumbnail_1603000.jpg","/articles/6528353/Howard-County/Maryland/Auxiliary-officers-ask-council-to-extend-public-safety-tax-credit-to-volunteers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528353-08cc9d2ed91682e27ac620343e50381f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442738&Signature=Ycdu6tUHzYjXhxfINQEPHnxXYQPW6-GFIx3orOL9S1o3Bkagn0wG6NqdgGtMK-7IadsHGHF-Hona2EGhtwppgpyOdMugReID-BXTOVxBMGtniqfmhRLECJGBoRVm5ywNRqWL-HEeN-glpnyFcldLzu4gk4YxlMk8Qvk~0dmpZLRugROTQcrfMzI1ZUwQdkKKWGYa1Zt54KVaXmxyq-B3td3f4jBBvLt~YhhE0Un4EKMC1HuC3L9ULIMeXcxWpPPF9Lr~LfzI5YagbJIrRDbPnODV~Rk8-RLoojw8WJb2MC-dFuCXBQfZvvqc41s7odYe3yKOER3j7utwp9CwqC3gwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Volunteer auxiliary officers asked the Howard County Council to expand the county's public-safety officer tax credit to include auxiliary (volunteer) police officers.

Paul Bertulis, a volunteer auxiliary officer and county resident, recounted the history of auxiliary policing and long volunteer service. \"When I and other volunteer police auxiliaries in the state found out about this tax credit we were excited...\" he said, noting that the state law (House Bill 979, 2017) authorized local governing bodies to define who qualifies as a public safety officer for the tax credit. Bertulis told the council the county currently has eight auxiliary officers and that three meeting residency and service requirements would be directly impacted by the change.

Christopher Sadowicz, an auxiliary officer since 2017, described routine duties that free sworn officers for higher-priority calls: assisting stranded motorists, area checks at senior facilities, traffic direction at county events and towing abandoned vehicles. \"While these tasks I mentioned may seem minuscule, they free up sworn officers from time consuming events so they can focus their attention on more serious emergencies,\" he said.

County finance staff presented the bill to the council as an administrative change to allow the county to define eligibility locally. No final vote occurred at the public hearing; the bill will return for further consideration.

Ending: The measure was presented and supported by current volunteers; testimony emphasized volunteer hours and the operational role auxiliaries play in county policing.","Volunteer auxiliary officers testified in support of Council Bill 33 (2025), asking the council to define \"public safety officer\" in county law so volunteer auxiliary police who serve Howard County can qualify for the state-authorized property tax credit. Volunteers described tasks they perform and argued the credit would recognize long service.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Library workers tell council management is backing away from negotiated 4% COLA; county staff say they do not negotiate library contracts

Howard County public hearing draws students, educators and county staff on proposal to use surplus for schools

Auxiliary officers ask council to extend public-safety tax credit to volunteers