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Howard County Council approves additional appropriations, salary changes and transfers
Summary
At its May 26 meeting the Howard County Council approved Ordinance 2026-HCCO-17 to add $460,000 for jail heat pumps and other line-item adjustments, adopted a salary amendment, and authorized several interfund transfers and small line corrections.
Howard County Council approved a package of budget adjustments at its May 26 meeting that included additional appropriations, a salary ordinance amendment and transfers to cover equipment, deductible and salt costs.
The council adopted Ordinance 2026-HCCO-17 after the county auditor read the ordinance detailing line-by-line appropriations across funds. Auditor Jessica recited incremental changes including a $10,263.86 increase to the local road and street salt line, $28,500 drawn from the misdemeanor equipment fund, and a reduction of the previously proposed correctional facilities equipment appropriation so the county will appropriate $460,000 to finish heat-pump work at the jail. The auditor reported the final adjusted total additional appropriations for all funds as $640,570.56.
Why it matters: the actions covered personnel, facility maintenance and operational needs across multiple county departments. Human resources director Carrie Renicker told the council two positions labeled exempt need pay increases to meet Department of Labor minimums, saying, “we are out of compliance with the Department of Labor and the salary minimum for exempt employees,” and requested modest increases to bring those salaries into compliance for the remainder of 2026.
Sheriff Asher asked the council to draw $28,500 from the misdemeanor equipment fund — half of a purchase to equip correctional staff with body-worn cameras that integrate into the jail’s SAS/ExactVision system — saying the other half would come from commissary funds. “We’re asking for 28,500 drawn down,” the sheriff said, and explained the video will assist investigations and court work because prosecutors increasingly expect video evidence.
Other adopted items included a transfer moving $10,000 from a building-and-structure repairs line to police equipment to upfit squad cars, and a small $10 adjustment to the council’s dues and subscriptions line offset by a cut to the elected officials training fund so the council budget remains balanced.
Council members discussed insurance deductibles with board of commissioners representatives, who requested an additional $150,000 to cover higher self-insurance costs driven by ongoing litigation. Commissioners noted the county saved roughly $500,000 by moving to self-insurance and is building a reserve to pay claims.
A separate salary ordinance amendment (2026-HCCO-18) that updates staffing and pay authorizations for the year was read by the auditor and adopted by voice vote.
The council approved these items by voice votes during the meeting; the president called for aye/nay and the measures carried. The council will reconvene for routine business June 23; staff and the commissioners also noted a public town hall on the county jail project scheduled for June 30 in the county building basement.
The meeting transcript shows a mix of short staff presentations, department requests to correct or fund specific lines, and the council approving a set of technical and operational budget fixes and a salary ordinance change.
