Howard County Solicitor Gary Cook outlines flat budget and opioid litigation successes

The Howard County Budget Work Session on May 14, 2025, focused on the Office of Law's budget request and various legal matters impacting the county. County Solicitor Gary Cook presented the office's budget, which remains flat for the upcoming fiscal year, with increases tied to cost-of-living adjustments and contractual obligations. He highlighted the office's successful recovery of over $4 million in owed funds for the county, including settlements from opioid and e-cigarette litigation.

Cook addressed concerns regarding the federal legal landscape, emphasizing the inefficiency of litigation as a resolution mechanism. He urged the council to consider the county's resources in anticipation of potential legal actions from the federal government.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on the monitoring contract with the ASAP company, which has faced scrutiny for irregularities. Cook clarified that the county was not notified of the contract until after its implementation and that the monitoring agency operates under a state contract, not a county one.

Additionally, Cook introduced a new state-level Outpatient Treatment Program, which will require the Office of Law's involvement in circuit court proceedings. He noted that the program's implementation details remain unclear, but it is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Council members raised questions about the county's preparedness for legal challenges and the implications of the new outpatient program. They also discussed a new attorney position related to the county council, clarifying that it would not result in the loss of legal resources from the Office of Law.

The session concluded with a call for continued support of the Office of Law's budget to maintain its operations and effectiveness in serving the county's legal needs. The council plans to further discuss the implications of the new programs and the monitoring contract in future sessions.