Howard County Council approves most 2026 appropriations but tables $261,419 request for 24‑hour jail nursing

Howard County’s newly constituted council on its first 2026 meeting elected Darryl Maple president and Brian Alexander vice president, approved a wide package of additional appropriations and voted to table a $261,419 request to fund 24‑hour nursing coverage at the county jail.

The council read Ordinance 2026 HCC‑002, which lists multiple line‑item appropriations across county funds, then spent extended time on a request tied to the correctional facilities fund to pay contract services for 24‑hour nursing. Captain Matt Deckard, who answered council questions in the sheriff’s absence, said the jail currently has nursing coverage “from 6AM until 10PM. From 10PM till 6AM, I don't have a nurse,” and argued that on‑site nursing would reduce routine hospital transports and add mental‑health support.

Why it matters: Deckard and others described the county jail as a de‑facto mental‑health facility for many residents who arrive ill or intoxicated; council members expressed support for improved care but said they needed clearer cost breakdowns, vendor business models and usage data before committing recurring money.

Key details and council actions

- Jail nursing request: Council discussed a $261,419 line in the correctional facilities fund for contract nursing and related mental‑health services. After debate about staffing models, insurance and how many full‑time equivalents a 24‑hour arrangement would require, Councilman Roberts moved to table that specific line until the February meeting; the motion carried. Commissioners offered to consider a one‑time $30,000 contribution from unrestricted opioid settlement dollars to help bridge needs, but no permanent commitment was made this evening.

- Package approvals: The council approved the remainder of Ordinance 2026 HCC‑002, which contains multiple appropriations including (excerpted lines announced during the reading): county general adjustments totaling $89,610.08; a $110,000 ask for cumulative capital (information systems equipment); $475,000 for the Local Road & Street equipment account; opioid restricted and unrestricted funds ($333,054.17 and $178,717.42 respectively); and various probation, veterans and program grant adjustments.

- IT servers: Information systems director Jeremy Stevens asked to pay $159,000 up front for new servers after a favorable lease option disappeared; Stevens proposed approving $110,000 now (the council agreed to move forward with the bulk of the request) and return next month for the remaining ~$24,000 needed to finalize the purchase and implementation within a 2–3 month deployment window.

- Highway equipment: Amber Toll requested $475,000 to cover three previously encumbered pieces that arrived late plus an additional $138,976 for a dump truck, mower and misc. equipment; council supported the request given the Local Road & Street fund balance and recent storm response needs.

Votes at a glance

- Reorganization: Darryl Maple elected council president (voice vote); Brian Alexander elected vice president (voice vote). - Ordinance 2026 HCC‑002 (additional appropriations): Approved except for the correctional facilities contract services doctor line ($261,419), which was tabled for more information. - Salary ordinance amendment HCCO‑04: Approved by voice vote. - Supplemental public defender fund ordinance HCCO‑07: Approved. - IT appropriation (servers): Council agreed to fund $110,000 now and requested staff return to finalize the additional ~$24,000 soon.

Quotes that capture the debate

"We really need 24 hour nursing," Captain Matt Deckard said, describing frequent after‑hours medical issues. Commissioner Jack Dodd urged caution but emphasized local uses of opioid settlement dollars to support treatment programs: "We are using these funds to save lives."

What’s next

The council directed staff and the sheriff’s vendor to return in February with additional documentation and for interested council members to meet with the vendor and county leadership beforehand. The council’s next regular meeting was announced as Feb. 24 at 4 p.m.; the tabled correctional facility appropriation will appear on that agenda.