Proposed Capital Budget

IT'S GOOD to see a new high school for eastern Howard County move closer to reality with Superintendent Michael E. Hickey's proposed capital budget for next year. There's no danger that the school project could be derailed by outgoing County Executive Charles I. Ecker. His final term will end before the budget is voted on next spring.Mr. Ecker removed money to plan a high school from the current capital budget. He suggested a radical redesign of the system, creating junior highs to offset the need for a new high school.

• $467,000 for work on three sections of dock at Lake Kittamaqundi • $330,000 for completing a loop around Lake Kittamaqundi • $235,000 for replacing six tennis courts in Owen Brown • $350,000 for replacing tennis clubhouse in Owen Brown • $310,000 for adding a new spa and other amenities to Stevens Forest Pool • $550,000 for major renovations to Homespun Pond in Owen Brown Source: Columbia Association ...

Baltimore County Executive Roger B. Hayden has added more than $2.5 million to his proposed capital budget to renovate or help replace the 67-year-old Essex Elementary School.If the school board decides to renovate the decrepit building, the money will be used to get work under way quickly. If replacement is needed, the money would go toward a new building."It takes my breath away," Essex Principal Jean Satterfield said when informed about the decision Mr. Hayden is to announce Thursday as part of his budget presentation.

A bit less borrowing and a little more cash mark Howard County Executive Ken Ulman's proposed $179.3 million capital budget proposal for fiscal 2012, along with a larger emphasis on environmental projects. His twin goals, he said, are "to finish up some of these larger projects and to continue progress on parks like Blandair, and in education. " To that end, Ulman wants to spend $10 million for storm-water facility upgrades, stream and watershed improvements and retrofits to capture rainwater and prevent runoff.

A headline in Tuesday's Howard County edition of The Sun inaccurately stated that County Executive Charles I. Ecker's proposed capital budget includes a reduction in funds for road-building. In fact, the proposed capital budget for next fiscal year includes more funds for road-building than this fiscal year's budget.In the same article, the phone number for those seeking a schedule of budget hearings should have been 313-2001.The Sun regrets the errors.Pub Date: 4/05/96

School Superintendent Michael E. Hickey unveiled last night a capital spending plan that would commit the county to building a new northeastern elementary school to alleviate overcrowding.The plan would dedicate more than $11 million to open the school by 2003 and allay the concerns of residents like Courtney Watson of Ellicott City, whose two children attend the crowded Ilchester Elementary School.Watson said she was pleased that the school was included in the building plan, but was afraid the time line was too slow.

The Maryland Science Center and the National Aquarium in Baltimore could be among the beneficiaries of Maryland's outsized budget this year, with millions proposed in the governor's budget to expand exhibit offerings and renovate their buildings. Gov. Parris N. Glendening plans $31 million in funding for the two attractions over the next five years, beginning in the next fiscal year with $4 million for the science center and $3 million for the aquarium. The money would help the science center with renovations, construction of a new wing and the addition of new exhibits.

With a bit of tinkering, Baltimore County Executive C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger III has added $12 million to next year's proposed capital budget, largely for school construction and improvements to the county's older communities.The new county executive is expected to deliver the bricks-and-mortar spending plan along with his first operating budget today. Both require final approval by the County Council, which may cut money from his requests but may not increase spending.The county planning board had recommended a $149.

Anne Arundel County's auditor recommended yesterday that the County Council plan for fiscal problems in future years by cutting or delaying several projects, including construction of a new Harman Elementary School. County Auditor Teresa Sutherland also told the council to take a hard look at the funding for construction of three new fire stations and a north county swimming pool. "I don't see a turnaround in our economy," Sutherland said yesterday during her report on County Executive Janet S. Owens' proposed capital budget.

Howard Community College is close to securing the funds it needs to build a $24.6 million Student Services Building. The project is slated to receive $12.3 million from the state in the proposed fiscal 2006 capital budget unveiled last week by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. HCC has asked the county to match those funds. Student services are now scattered throughout the campus, with most housed on the first floor of the library building. The new building would have all the services - such as the bookstore, student dining and financial aid - under one roof.

Faced with a difficult revenue picture, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman yesterday proposed a capital budget funded with slightly less county taxpayers' money than last year. The total request to the county council is for $421 million, up from $353.7 million requested last year. But county officials said $220 million is for general county projects funded by bonds and cash, about $8 million less than last year. The rest -- $200.6 million -- is for utility projects paid for by separate water and sewer taxes.

Columbia village board members and residents praised aspects of Columbia Association's proposed budgets that include money for a new ballroom floor for Kahler Hall, pool enhancements and funding for a watershed program. But they also demanded to know why the association's 2009 budgeted expenses of $56.4 million include $355,000 for Splashdown repairs, operating expenses and capital expenditures that outstrip income, and several "placeholders" - line items that are estimates for future projects - that have not been vetted with the public.

A new headquarters building, salary increases of 12.3 percent and significant facility upgrades are among the provisions in budgets proposed by the Columbia Association for the coming two fiscal years. Members of the public will have the chance to comment on the proposals at a public hearing Jan. 23. At a forum last week, Columbia Association officials summarized key elements of the proposed budget and took questions from the community. The budgets offered for fiscal years 2009 and 2010 "reflect the ongoing efforts of the Columbia Association to fulfill its mission of enhancing the quality of life for people living or working in Columbia," said Maggie J. Brown, president of the association.

Howard Community College is close to securing the funds it needs to build a $24.6 million Student Services Building. The project is slated to receive $12.3 million from the state in the proposed fiscal 2006 capital budget unveiled last week by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. HCC has asked the county to match those funds. Student services are now scattered throughout the campus, with most housed on the first floor of the library building. The new building would have all the services - such as the bookstore, student dining and financial aid - under one roof.

The Howard County Board of Education shaved millions of dollars off the superintendent's proposed capital budget last night in a marathon meeting that was continuing near midnight. Participating in the meeting was the newest addition to the five-member board, Joshua M. Kaufman, who had taken the oath of office hours earlier. The 32-year-old father of two took the board seat given up by Virginia Charles in June because she said the job was too stressful and damaging to her health. By 11 p.m., the board had pared Superintendent John R. O'Rourke's budget request from $149.

Anne Arundel County's auditor recommended yesterday that the County Council plan for fiscal problems in future years by cutting or delaying several projects, including construction of a new Harman Elementary School. County Auditor Teresa Sutherland also told the council to take a hard look at the funding for construction of three new fire stations and a north county swimming pool. "I don't see a turnaround in our economy," Sutherland said yesterday during her report on County Executive Janet S. Owens' proposed capital budget.

Howard County's golf war -- pitting owners of private links against residents who want cheap public courses -- continued last night at the County Council's capital budget hearing. The battle is over a proposal to build an $8.8 million public course in West Friendship. The council has until June to approve final capital and operating budgets. About 50 people attended the meeting. Although County Executive James N. Robey has asked the council to approve plans for the project, he has promised not to build it if private course owners provide low-cost golf for senior citizens and young players eager to learn the sport.

What a difference having a little more money makes.For the past two years, Howard County Council hearings on the executive's proposed capital budget have played to a crowded room with special interest groups vying for what little money was available.Last night, only 28 people -- including staff members from the council and the administration -- showed up to discuss County Executive Charles I. Ecker's proposed $76 million proposed capital budget for fiscal 1994.The county's bond affordability committee has advised Mr. Ecker that the county is financially strong enough to carry slightly more debt in the fiscal year beginning July 1. Mr. Ecker followed that advice and raised the capital budget $3 million.

Roland Howard Sr., elections official and pastor, dies at 76 The Rev. Roland L. Howard Sr., president of the Howard County Board of Elections Supervisors and founder of Banneker Christian Community Church in Columbia, died Oct. 13 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Baltimore a month after suffering a heart attack during a tense daylong count of absentee ballots. He was 76. A lifelong resident of Elkridge, Mr. Howard was remembered yesterday as a tireless community activist and voting-rights champion.

As long as we're dreaming, we might as well dream big. That was the overriding theme at last night's Howard County Board of Education meeting, during which members theoretically granted the wishes of those begging for new schools by tacking an additional $8 million onto the already staggering $78.4 million in the proposed capital budget for fiscal year 2004. The additional money would be needed to fund an array of building projects that the board discussed at the meeting, including: Increasing the size of an addition at Manor Woods Elementary from 150 seats to 200. Building an elementary school in northeast Howard (to open in August 2006)