Howard County Prosecutor Mark McCann urged the County Council to approve additional staff for his office, saying shortages are slowing case processing; the council voted to fund three part-time deputy prosecutors, one full‑time investigator and one full‑time criminal enforcement clerk for this year.

McCann told the council his office is “approximately 10 short” of the number of deputies the 2019 caseload study recommended and that the shortfall has “impacted our ability to prosecute cases in a timely and efficient manner.” He said major prosecutions have been supported by law enforcement but that lesser matters have suffered from lack of staff.

The request, presented during the council’s additional appropriations item, was discussed at length by council members who asked about recruitability and timing. McCann said he had already advertised several openings and expected to be able to fill part‑time prosecutor slots “within 60 days” if approved, and that investigators are often filled by retired law‑enforcement candidates. He said part‑time roles are more attractive because of flexibility, including the option for remote work.

Council members moved and seconded a revised, smaller package than the prosecutor’s full request; they added language to adjust FICA and PERF amounts to match the number of positions approved. The council voted by voice and approved the positions for the current year only; the action does not automatically change the 2026 budget.

McCann emphasized his office’s prosecutorial standards while explaining the request: “If you steal $5, it’s still theft. If you possess marijuana in Howard County, it’s still a crime, and we still enforce those every day,” he said, adding that the shortage has affected efficiency rather than policy about which crimes to pursue.

Council members and McCann also discussed hiring challenges. McCann said full‑time positions are harder to fill than part‑time slots, and that recruiting often depends on staff recommendations rather than advertising alone. He described some recent retirements and replacements and said the office’s new case‑management software will streamline document handling.

The council’s motion approved three part‑time deputy prosecutors, one full‑time investigator and one full‑time criminal enforcement clerk, with payroll taxes and PERF adjusted to the actual hires; the motion was approved by voice vote. The appropriation covers this fiscal year only; McCann said he will also pursue staffing through the PAC (budget) committee and the 2026 budgeting process.

The vote followed public council procedure for additional appropriations and included brief clarifications about how FICA and PERF contributions would be adjusted to the number of employees funded.