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Howard County Library leaders seek funding; library employees say board has delayed ratifying contract
Summary
Howard County Library System leaders asked the council to fund the executive's FY26 request for staff cost‑of‑living and step increases. Library employees said they ratified a tentative collective bargaining agreement but the library board has not signed it, citing funding approval concerns.
Howard County Library System officials and staff urged the council to fully fund the county executive’s FY2026 proposed operating request for the system and to allow the board to finalize a recently negotiated labor agreement.
Tonia Akins, president and CEO of the Howard County Library System, told the council the proposed operating budget request included cost‑of‑living and step increases for staff and modest increases to support training and technology. Liz Banach, chair of the library board of trustees, described library programs supporting early childhood, teens and adult learners and asked the council to “invest in the thousands of…
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