Chairman Watson and members of the County Council:

The League of Women Voters of Howard County supports County Council Bill 9-2008 that proposes the creation of a publicly searchable County web site that would list by fiscal year County contracts of $30,000 or greater. The League bases its support for this legislation on a League principle that " democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens and requires that government bodies protect the citizens' right to know... and making public records accessible." We thank the sponsors of County Council Bill 9, Council member Greg Fox and Council Chair Courtney Watson.

Council Bill 9 will enable Howard County residents and business to determine the services County Government contract dollars are spent on and who received the contract.

The League asks for clarification of the definition of "County Award". Does the definition include the expenditure or financial assistance in the form of a grant, loan, contract or subcontract, purchase order or other payment made by the County's Economic Development Authority or the Howard County Housing Commission? The League believes these quasi- governmental entities should be included under the provisions of County Council Bill 9-2008.

We thank you for your consideration of our question as an amendment and urge favorable consideration of County Council Bill 9-2008.

Grace Kubofcik
Co-president