Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman has presented to the county council his $374.3 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for fiscal 2018.

The proposed budget includes $201.3 million from General Obligation (GO) bonds, including $105 million in estimated public financing for the much-needed new Circuit Courthouse project and other projects that add up to $96.3 million in GO bonds.

“This proposed CIP budget continues to reflect my administration’s prudent and fiscally responsible approach by focusing on making government more responsive, efficient and accessible,” said Kittleman. “This budget ‘fast forwards’ long-delayed projects, some for decades, as well as introduces new ones that will support our shared goals.”

In addition to the courthouse, the proposed CIP includes money to support education, county parks, a new public safety radio system, flood mitigation in Ellicott City, and planning dollars for a detox and outpatient treatment center. It also includes planning and design money for fire and police stations, as well as a community pool, in North Laurel.

“I have put a strong emphasis on embracing a culture of innovation across the county,” said Kittleman. “That’s why we will launch the Howard County Innovation Center. It’s also why we rethought the way we deliver human services, prompting us to establish the Community Resources Campus. Better government must always reinvent itself as needs change, and that’s what we will continue to do.”
Highlights of the fiscal 2018 CIP budget include the following.

Education
• $59.1 million to the Howard County Board of Education, including $44.2 million from county funds. The balance is from state funds.
• $21.8 million for renovations to Swansfield and Waverly elementary schools
• $2 million for completion of Wilde Lake Middle School replacement
• $18.7 million toward the construction of the county’s 42nd elementary school
• $1.5 million for renovations to Patuxent Valley Middle School
• $11.4 million in county funds to design and renovate the Nursing and Science/Technology building at HCC

Ellicott City Recovery, Rebuilding
• $1.8 million for flood remediation for Main Street Ellicott City and Valley Mede
• $200,000 for planning, design and implementation of parking improvements for Main Street area

Public Safety and Health
• $250,000 for site selection and design for detox and outpatient treatment center
• $6.2 million to replace public safety radio system
• Planning and design funds for new fire station in West Columbia
• Funds for site acquisition of new Waterloo fire station

Recreation & Parks
• $1.7 million for Phase 3 of Blandair Regional Park, providing a playground designed for children of all abilities, dog park, picnic shelter and area for backyard games
• $500,000 for planning and design funds for a pool at the North Laurel Community Center

Transportation and Infrastructure
• $4.5 million for road resurfacing
• Complete work on the Route 29 pedestrian bridge
• $1.25 million for biking, walking and ADA improvement projects
The fiscal 2018 CIP budget can be reviewed at www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/County-Administration/Budget.