As the level of government that is closest to you, we provide direct services to you every day. This section summarizes the work we do and how Howard County government can help you.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
JUDICIAL BRANCH
SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, and OTHER AGENCIES
STATE OFFICES

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

The County Executive
410-313-2013

Proposes and administers the operating and capital budgets, carries out policies established by legislation, interacts with the state and other local governments, helps citizens resolve concerns and oversees the following departments:

Department of Citizen Services
410-313-6400

Employees develop and coordinate delivery of human service programs, support commissions for women, on disability issues and for children and youth, and monitor grants to non-profit agencies that furnish direct services in the community.

Department of Corrections
410-313-5200

Employees operate the Detention Center and Emory Street lockup and provide processing, care, security and programs for about 200 inmates.

Department of County Administration
410-313-2020

Employees foster interdepartmental coordination and provide day-to-day administrative and technical support to ensure efficient operation of government and effective use of tax dollars in delivering services.

Office of Budget
410-313-2077

Proposes spending levels to the County Executive based on a variety of revenue and expenditure analyses to ensure a balanced budget. In addition to preparing this annual fiscal plan and special management and financial reports for the Executive and administration, Budget staff also monitors the purchasing, personnel and other spending requests of all County government agencies.

Office of Human Resources
410-313-2033

Coordinates the administration of all personnel-related tasks including recruitment, employment and employee communications. The office actively promotes a philosophy of equal opportunity for all through rules and regulations pertaining to hiring, promotion, training, compensaton and benefits.

Office of Human Rights
410-313-6430

The employees enforce the county's human rights law, investigate complaints regarding discrimination in employment, financing, law enforcement, housing or public accommodations, and respond to inquiries about human rights issues. The office serves as a liaison with the public, government agencies and community groups to develop ways to combat discrimination and to promote better human relations.

The Legislative Coordinator
410-313-2164

Advises agencies of pending or new county or state legislation, prepares the administration's legislation and coordinates presentation of testimony on council legislation.

Bureau of Staff Services
410-313-2050

The employees provide staff support and administer the Equal Business Opportunity Program.

Public Information Office
410-313-2022

The employees provide information about county government in a non-partisan way to the public, media and employees. Resources of the office include Gtv (410-313-5720) television and video, graphic design and publishing, media and community relations, and information and referral.

Purchasing Office
410-313-6370

The employees provide centralized procurement contracting services for goods and services used by all county agencies except the community college and public school system.

Risk Management

The employees perform safety, loss control and claims management functions for county operations.

Department of Finance
410-313-2195

The employees collect real and personal property taxes, special assessments, Metropolitan District charges, water and sewer usage charges, fees and other funds due to the county. They process parking citations, lien certifications for property transfers, vendor's invoices for payment and business license applications, are in charge of financial affairs such as bond sales, the annual tax sale, debt management and investments, and maintain financial records.

Department of Fire and Rescue Services
410-313-6000

The personnel provide fire, emergency medical and rescue services, emergency management and civil defense support. Working with volunteer firefighters and the firefighter's union, the department promotes fire safety through public education and code enforcement. Employees also educate citizens about home safety and injury prevention awareness.

Office of Emergency Management and Civil Defense

Surveys resources to support emergency operations in event of natural or man-made disasters and coordinates civil preparedness duties assigned to the county by federal and state agencies.

Department of Housing and Community Development
410-313-6320

Department employees administer a range of Federal, State, and County funded programs for affordable home ownership, loans and grants for special needs housing programs, rental assistance, community facilities, manages and maintaining residential property, provides loans for settlement and downpayment assistance, assists in home ownership preparedness, operates the Community Development Block Grant, Community Legacy, the HOME program, and other programs that that provide affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income residents of Howard County.

Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits
410-313-2455

Employees review building plans and issue permits for building, electrical, plumbing and grading work; provide inspection services to enforce construction, sediment and erosion control, rental housing and sign codes; and issue liquor licenses and licenses for animals, concerts, mobile home parks and taxi cabs.

Office of Law

The employees provide legal services to all branches of county government, including the council, the executive, boards and commissions. The county charter prevents the staff from providing legal advice or services to the public.

Department of Planning and Zoning
410-313-2350

The employees develop long-range policies for land use, transportation, zoning and environmental planning, prepare the county's comprehensive plan for growth and development, maintain demographic data and census records, update land use and zoning maps, administer land development, subdivision and zoning regulations and promote preservation of agricultural, historic and rural districts.

Police Department
Northern District, 410-313-3200
Southern District, 410-313-3700

The personnel promote public safety and enforce the law. Police officers patrol the county, investigate criminal activity, respond to traffic accidents, work with youth and others to prevent crime, and help citizens to be aware of personal safety measures.

The Bureau of Communications

The personnel dispatch police, fire or ambulance crews in response to 911 calls, provides radio support for county agencies and handles thousands of non-emergency calls.

Animal Control
410-313-2780

The employees enforce laws pertaining to proper care, treatment and control of animals. They also provide adoption services and educational programs.

Department of Public Works
410-313-4400

The Department of Public Works has six bureaus: Administration, Engineering, Environmental Services, Facilities, Highways, and Utilities.

Department of Recreation and Parks
410-313-4700

The employees acquire and develop park land, manage and maintain parks and open space, and provide recreation programs and leisure activities for citizens of all ages.

Department of Technology and Communication Services
410-313-2095

The personnel assist all county departments in the creation, and maintenace of information technology.

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The County Council
410-313-2001

Functions as the legislative branch of government. Five members enact laws for the county, authorize the operating and capital budgets, refer residents to appropriate agencies and help citizens solve problems. The five also sit as the Board of License Commissioners and Zoning Board.

The County Auditor

Provides technical assistance to the council on financial matters, reviews the annual budget, and is in charge of the county's annual financial audit and audits of county departments.

JUDICIAL BRANCH

The Clerk's Office: 410-313-2111 http://mdcourts.gov/clerks/howard
General Information: 410-313-4851 http://mdcourts.gov/circuit/howard

It is a general jurisdiction court that administers criminal, civil and juvenile matters.

The District Court
410-480-7700

It is limited to adjudication of criminal misdemeanor and minor civil matters.

The Orphans Court
410-313-2133

It has jurisdiction over the estates of decedents and minors with power to enforce testamentary or probate law. Composed of one chief judge and two other judges, elected for four-year terms, the court meets each Wednesday and on additional days as required.

The Sheriff
410-313-2150

The deputies act as the law enforcement arm of the courts. They provide security, serve papers, carry out judgments in evictions and judicial sales, transport prisoners and serve warrants. The Community Service Section administers a court ordered alternative sentencing program. The Office has expanded to include a Domestic Violence unit.

The State's Attorney
410-313-2108

Prosecutes criminal and juvenile cases and determines whether to extradite persons in other areas who have been charged with crimes in Howard County.

SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, and OTHER AGENCIES

Howard Community College
410-772-4800

It is a public, two-year college that offers degree programs, business training, youth programs, continuing education and related services. A Board of Trustees sets policies.

Howard County Library
410-313-7750

Promotes life-long learning and enrichment through access to information, a knowledgeable staff and services in a free and open environment. The staff brings people together to stimulate the free exchange of ideas and a sense of community.

The Howard County Public School System
410-313-6600

Provides an educational program for children in kindergarten through grade 12. Special education services are provided for children from birth through age 21.

Community Action Council
410-313-6440

Provides direct help for people in need and recommends programs to benefit low-income residents. Services include crisis intervention, food bank, fuel fund, energy assistance, Head Start, information and referral, eviction prevention, first month's rent and weatherization programs. County, federal and private resources fund these programs.

Cooperative Extention
410-313-2707

It is a three-way partnership of Howard County, the University of Maryland and the United States Department of Agriculture, sponsors 4H clubs, coordinates a Financial Counseling Service and provides advice and information in many areas, from agriculture crop and livestock production and nutrient management to business management, family consumer science and the Master Gardener program.

Economic Development Authority
410-313-6500

It is committed to fostering a strong economic environment in Howard County. Employees work to retain existing businesses by assisting with their expansion needs and seek to bring targeted new businesses to the county. Additionally, the Authority serves as the liaison between public and private economic development and planning organizations and establish local and regional partnerships.

Soil Conservation
410-489-7987

The Howard district office delineates wetlands and assists urban and rural residents to conserve soil and water resources. The office includes employees of the state Department of Agriculture, USDA Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service and USDA Soil Conservation Service.

STATE OFFICES

Assessments and Taxation
410-480-7940

This state department values real and personal property (corporate, unincorporated) for tax purposes.

Board of Elections
410-313-5820

This office arranges for elections and referenda, registers voters, maintains and provides, upon request, lists of registered voters, and maintains candidate files.

Health Department
410-313-6300

The Howard County Health Department is dedicated to leading our residents to a lifetime of wellness. We promote health and wellness initiatives, ensure access to healthcare, and provide special services to women, children and seniors. The health department also provides services to detect and fight against the spread of communicable diseases. In addition to our numerous direct services, our Bureau of Environmental Health provides well and septic services, food protection programs and other community services.

Juvenile Justice
410-480-7878

Field office personnel provide intake, probation and aftercare services to the juvenile court and handle complaints regarding children under age 18 who are charged with offenses in Howard County.

Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
410-290-2600

Job service employees in the Columbia office offer job services and the veteran's outreach program. Unemployment offices are in Baltimore and Glen Burnie.

Parole and Probation
410-480-7920

The state Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services maintains this division in Ellicott City. Employees supervise Howard County residents placed on probation or released on parole.

Public Defender
410-480-7777

The office provides legal services to indigent individuals who have been charged with a criminal offense involving the potential penalty of incarceration.

Rehabilitation Services
410-480-7820

The Division of Rehabilitation Services helps persons with disabilities to prepare for, achieve and maintain employment. The Independent Living Program helps persons with severe disabilities, which prevent them from considering employment, to remain independent in the community.

Social Services
410-872-4200

The department administers family investment programs that include temporary cash assistance, food stamps, TEMHA (transitional emergency, medical and housing assistance) and medical assistance; establishes, enforces and collects court-ordered child support; coordinates adoptions and foster care; offers protective services for children and adults; and provides family and adult social services.