Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is setting the fiscal stage for FY26 by announcing the formation of a new Spending Affordability Advisory Committee (SAAC). The county's official website reports that the SAAC represents diverse residents and features experts from various sectors, including education, real estate, and the local business community. The group's mission is to advise on the county's financial future and ensure that budgeting aligns with the county's needs and values.
Reflecting on the committee's purpose, Calvin Ball noted, per the county's press release, "Our budget reflects our values, our priorities and most importantly, our outcomes." As we still seek to overcome the lingering shadow of the pandemic fully, there seems to be a concerted effort to respond and responsibly prepare for future infrastructure and service demands. The SAAC is positioned to quickly modify and respond to economic changes, offering fiscal insights and revenue projections for capital and operating budgets.
Throughout January and February, the SAAC will hold a series of meetings—most of which will be virtual and live-streamed—to examine the county's financial status. These meetings will include revenue and expenditure evaluations, and the SAAC will consider various economic indicators as it considers fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
The SAAC's efforts will result in a comprehensive report due on March 1, 2025. According to the County Executive's statement, this report will outline projected General Fund revenues, recommend new county debt authorizations, and analyze long-term fiscal outlooks, including multi-year projections.
In a showing of community involvement and expertise, the committee has named several voting and non-voting members. Among them are Todd Arterburn, who will serve as Committee Vice Chair, and a range of professionals such as Richard Clinch, Ph.D., Ellen Flynn Giles, and Barbara K. Lawson. Non-voting members include representatives from the Howard County Library System, Howard Community College, and the county's Board of Education and Public School System.
