Chairman Ball and Members of the Howard County Council:

The League of Women Voters of Howard County supports the County Executive's proposed FY'08 Operating Budget funding of new positions. We specifically support the increase of 4 new positions for the Howard County Libraries, the 5 new positions for the Health Department, the 6 new positions for the Department of Citizen Services, the 4 new positions for the Department of Recreation and Parks, the 5 new positions for the Department of Planning and Zoning and the 16 positions for the Department of Public Works. We are aware that the budget proposes 517.14 new positions and we know the County Council will evaluate the merits of each one. The League asks that you retain all the new positions we mentioned because of their day to day impact on the residents and businesses of our community and because these positions will support the work of Departments that usually do not receive position increases.

The League also supports new positions for the Department of Housing and Community Development. As the County begins to realize affordable housing units of substantive numbers during the next few years it will require additional administrative professional support for the maintenance of and property management for units owned and managed by the Housing and Community Development Board.

The League supports the major increase to the Community Services Partnership grants. These grants serve to strengthen and hold families together in difficult times.

The League supports the Executive's request for buses for the Howard Transit's fixed route system and paratransit. The League is very pleased with the transit vehicle environmental standards.

The League thanks you for this opportunity to comment on the FY08 Operating Budget and wishes each of you strength as you determine what are the necessary public funding resources and expenses for the County's FY2008.

Sincerely,

Grace Kubofcik,
Co-President
Howard County League of Women Voters