The Office of the Local Children’s Board (LCB) is committed to creating equitable services and opportunities to improve the lives of Howard County children, youth, and families. The Office seeks to increase inclusiveness, awareness and access to affordable and quality behavioral health care while coordinating resources to meet the needs of the community. 

The Office of Children and Families promotes the well-being of children birth to five years old by providing services and supports to their families and caregivers and supports the initiatives of the Early Childhood Advisory Council. The Office offers a wide array of services and resources to promote healthy development, school readiness and strengthen families.

The Howard County Office of Community Sustainability aims to protect and enhance the quality of life in our communities by addressing environmental and economic issues affecting County citizens and future generations. Guided by principles of science, ingenuity, sustainability and stewardship, the Office engages in water quality, economic development, agriculture, energy and education initiatives.

The Office of Law provides legal representation and advice to Howard County and its offices, departments, boards, commissions, and other agencies in an expeditious and professional manner. Pursuant to the Howard County Charter, the Office of Law does not advise or represent private citizens.

The Department of Planning and Zoning ensures the orderly and sustainable growth of the County by implementing policies, plans, and regulations that guide land use and development. Research and community engagement are cornerstones to these efforts that shape our community.

The Howard County Police Department provides a secure environment for the citizens of Howard County by protecting life and property, reducing the opportunity for crime and disorder, enforcing the law, assisting victims and providing other police-related services as required by the community in a manner consistent with the values of a free society.

The Office of Procurement and Contract Administration maintains approximately 775 annual contracts for the goods, services and capital improvement projects that allow Departments to serve the residents of Howard County.

The Office of Public Information guarantees that residents, employees and the public at-large, are kept accurately informed of county government services, activities and programs in a timely, effective and efficient manner.

The Department of Public Works advances the quality of life for our community by providing exceptional level of public service. Employees coordinate the daily functions, customer service, the capital improvement program and real estate services.

The Department strives to deliver recreation and leisure opportunities that improve the health and well-being of the community and serve as model stewards of the environment by managing, protecting, and conserving our resources for a sustainable future. The Department maintains 9,768 acres of public lands and over 50 parks. It offers approximately 7,000 recreation programs (including leagues, classes and camps) each year.

The Howard County Sheriff's Office has been in existence and serving the citizens of Howard County since 1851. The Sheriff's Office offers a broad range of law enforcement services, such as Judicial Security, Summons Service, Warrant Service & Fugitive Retrieval, Domestic Violence Service & Assistance, Prisoner Transportation, and Landlord/Tenant Services.

The County Executive is the head of the executive branch of government in Howard County and is elected to a four-year term.

Providing excellent facilities and building services, preserving citizen investment and improving our community.

The Spending Affordability Advisory Committee presents its budget recommendations to the County Executive on or before March 1 of every year.

The Howard County Early Childhood Advisory Council supports the care, education and health of our youngest learners.

County Executive Ball is committed to a responsive government. Our team can help navigate the county bureaucracy, respond to questions or concerns, and assist those trying to access County services. Since December 2018, the County Executive’s Office has responded to more than 10,000 constituent cases from calls, emails, and letters.