Howard County Council adopts 2026 budget, sets property tax rate and approves related measures
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Summary
The Howard County Council approved the county's 2026 appropriations and property tax levies, adopted the Solid Waste district budget, formally approved the Convention Visitors and Tourism Commission appropriation, and passed a 2026 salary ordinance.
The Howard County Council adopted the county's 2026 budget and property tax levies and approved related funding measures during a continuation of the budget session.
The council approved ordinance 2025 HCCO 39, adopting the county's appropriations for the year ending Dec. 31, 2026, and setting property tax levies and rates, with the adopted budget for all tax-levied funds listed as $58,450,657, an adopted tax levy of $31,725,200 and an adopted tax rate of 0.7318. The council also recorded an adopted budget of $12,849,902 for home-ruled funds. The ordinance was moved by Councilman Alexander and seconded by Councilwoman Lake and was adopted by voice vote.
At the same meeting the council adopted the Solid Waste Management budget (ordinance 2025 HCCO 40). The adopted solid waste management budget is recorded in the meeting text as $1,542,892, with an adopted tax levy of $1,274,430 and an adopted tax rate of 0.0296. Councilman Faulkner moved the resolution; Councilman Roberts seconded. The council approved the measure by voice vote.
The council also gave formal approval to the Convention Visitors and Tourism Commission appropriation as presented. The amount read aloud in the record was "$200,000,650,000." That figure appears in the meeting record as read by the presenter; the council passed the appropriation by voice vote after a motion and second.
Separately, the council passed the 2026 salary ordinance (identified in the record as HCCO 41) with a grand total listed as $46,840,699.09. Councilwoman Lake moved the ordinance; Councilman Sanders seconded. During the discussion council members noted the salary figures were the same as the previous year.
Council discussion recorded in the meeting was brief. One member asked whether the 2026 budget was close to the current-year budget; a response in the record said the council had tried to keep the figures close but that exact comparisons were not provided in the meeting record. Members also offered thanks to the auditor's office and to the council president for leadership during the budget process.
The council adjourned after approving the measures and noted it will meet next on Oct. 28 at 4 p.m. for its regular monthly meeting.
