Collected and spent
In 2022, Howard County spent about $2,452.2M. This is a Census of Governments estimate across all of its funds.
Spent
$2,452.2M
Fiscal year 2022 · Census of Governments estimate, all funds · spending
Where the money comes from
Two taxes.
Income tax
3.2%
Property tax
$1.044 per $100 of value
Source · Office of the Comptroller of Maryland, Maryland Comptroller — 2024 Local Income Tax Rates. Read on May 23, 2026.
Details
Maryland Comptroller — 2024 Local Income Tax Rates (Howard County)Source · Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation — 2024 Tax Rates, Howard County. Read on June 5, 2026.
Details
Howard County (MD) 2024 property tax — county rate modeled at 10.44 mills/$1,000 AV ($1.044/$100; effective ~1.04% on market). Verify at MD SDAT Annual Tax Rates 2024 PDFWhere it goes
13 service lines.
Schools
$1,160.6M
Other
$412.8M
Fire
$130.2M
Higher education
$127.8M
Police
$123.9M
Health and human services
$102.4M
Debt service · past obligation
$102.1M
Public works
$101.6M
Show all 13 linesShow fewer lines
General government
$68.1M
Parks and recreation
$53.0M
Courts
$27.4M
Library
$22.4M
Corrections
$19.8M
Bars in both tables share one scale. Hatched lines pay for past obligations, not current services.
Source · 2022 Census of Governments - Estimated service split source. Read on October 20, 2026.
Who decides
The County Executive sends the Council a proposed budget. The Council holds hearings and work sessions. It approves the budget on or before June 1. 5 Council members serve 4-year terms, one for each of 5 districts.
Calvin Ball
County Executive
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Liz Walsh
Councilmember, District 1
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Opel Jones
Councilmember, District 2
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Christiana Rigby
Councilmember, District 3
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Deb Jung
Councilmember, District 4
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
David Yungmann
Councilmember, District 5
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Source · Howard County, Howard County, Budget Process. Read on October 10, 2026.
When decisions happen
The Council approves the budget on or before June 1. The budget covers the 12 months that start on July 1.
Each yearThe county fiscal year runs July 1 to June 30.
Next electionThe next general election is November 3, 2026.
Council members serve 4-year terms.
How to reach it
County Council office: (410) 313-2001
Phone
George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Mailing address
Source · Howard County, Howard County, Budget Process. Read on October 10, 2026.
Also on this tax bill
A Howard County address pays these governments too. Which cities apply depends on the address.
On every bill in Howard County
On some bills, depending on the address
Cities: 11
ColumbiaNot in Who Taxes Me yet
Ellicott CityNot in Who Taxes Me yet
IlchesterNot in Who Taxes Me yet
ElkridgeNot in Who Taxes Me yet
North LaurelNot in Who Taxes Me yet
ScaggsvilleNot in Who Taxes Me yet
FultonNot in Who Taxes Me yet
SavageNot in Who Taxes Me yet
JessupNot in Who Taxes Me yet
HighlandNot in Who Taxes Me yet
LisbonNot in Who Taxes Me yet
Sources
Spent
2022 Census of Governments - Estimated service split source. Read on October 20, 2026.
Taxes
Office of the Comptroller of Maryland, Maryland Comptroller — 2024 Local Income Tax Rates. Read on May 23, 2026.
Details
Maryland Comptroller — 2024 Local Income Tax Rates (Howard County)Taxes
Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation — 2024 Tax Rates, Howard County. Read on June 5, 2026.
Details
Howard County (MD) 2024 property tax — county rate modeled at 10.44 mills/$1,000 AV ($1.044/$100; effective ~1.04% on market). Verify at MD SDAT Annual Tax Rates 2024 PDFWho decides
Howard County, Howard County, Budget Process. Read on October 10, 2026.
When decisions happen
Howard County, Howard County, Budget Process. Read on October 10, 2026.
How to reach it
Howard County, Howard County Council home page. Read on October 10, 2026.
What it does
2022 Census of Governments - Estimated service split source. Read on October 13, 2026.
To act on what you have read
Who Taxes Me describes. These three tools, made by the same team, are where you can do something about it. Each opens in a new tab.
Go to TaxTrace
Influence what and how much you are taxed
Go to 2zips
Compare taxes between two places
Spruce · coming soon
Influence improvements in your city