Howard County Council works to finalize fiscal 2023 budget

The Howard County Council is scheduled to vote this week on the final version of a proposed $2 billion fiscal 2023 county operating budget. The proposed budget includes more than $1 billion for the Howard County Public Schools System and an $11 million increase for public safety, the largest increase in more than a decade, according to Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “This proposed budget provides historic support of our shared priorities while continuing a fiscally responsible management approach,” said Ball, who cited strong revenue performances during the pandemic, especially in the real estate market, to support critical services in the 2023 budget.