Contacting the Howard County Council: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you looking for assistance from the Howard County Council? Do you need to know how to contact them? This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to get in touch with the Council and understand their role in local government. The Main Office of the County Council can be reached at (4) 313-2001 if you have questions or need assistance from District staff. You can also use the “Who Represents Me?” section on the Council's website to find out which municipal district and member represents you. Council members are not allowed to direct executive branch personnel, but they can often help you with problems by providing access to the appropriate agency, helping you obtain information related to government services, or arranging for staff to talk to you about your issue.

Constituent services are an important part of a Council member's job. Most board and commission members are appointed by the County Executive and approved by the County Council. If you're interested in an appointment, contact the County Executive's office. The Council appoints members of the Compensation Review Commission, Alcoholic Beverage Hearings Board, and Board of Appeals.

They also appoint members of working groups from time to time. To express your interest in joining a board or working group, contact your Board member. The legislative sessions and hearings of the Council are recorded in audio and television formats and broadcast live. You can also stream videos or audios online on the Watch Us page.

Work sessions and monthly Council meetings are streamed with captions available for all council meetings. The County Council is located on the first floor of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043. All matters related to public schools are governed by the elected Board of Education, which oversees the Howard County Public School System as authorized by the state Department of Education. The primary function of the Howard County Council is to act as the legislative branch of local government under the authorization of the Howard County Charter, the county constitution. The Council amends Zoning Regulations and approves the Comprehensive Zoning Plan, which is guided by Howard Plan 2030, the County's General Plan. The dates and agendas of hearings are announced in local newspapers and posted on a bulletin board outside Council offices. As the legislative branch of government, it is their responsibility to pass Howard County laws.

Previously, a member served as second vice president of the Howard County Democratic Central Committee and as Human Rights Commissioner appointed by then-county executive Ken Ulman. In Howard County, five Council members also serve on the local Board of Licensing Commissioners, known as the Liquor Licensing Board. All meetings are usually held in the Banneker Room on the first floor of George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043. This guide provides all necessary information for contacting and understanding Howard County Council's role in local government. If you have any questions or need assistance from District staff, call (4) 313-2001. You can also use their website's “Who Represents Me?” section to find out which municipal district and member represents you.

To express your interest in joining a board or working group, contact your Board member. The legislative sessions and hearings of the Council are recorded in audio and television formats and broadcast live. You can also stream videos or audios online on their Watch Us page with captions available for all council meetings. The primary function of Howard County Council is to act as a legislative branch under authorization from Howard County Charter. They amend Zoning Regulations and approve Comprehensive Zoning Plan guided by Howard Plan 2030. They also pass laws for Howard County. Five Council members serve on local Board of Licensing Commissioners known as Liquor Licensing Board with all meetings held in Banneker Room on first floor of George Howard Building.