Howard County earned a AAA bond rating this year from the country’s three credit-rating agencies, one of 43 counties nationwide to receive the top rating.

The three agencies, Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investor Services and Standard & Poor’s, annually rate local jurisdictions’ credit quality, an indication of its financial strength.

County Executive Allan H. Kittleman, who in recent weeks has talked about the county’s tough budget season ahead, said he was pleased by the rating and the county’s sound finances.

The bond agencies “just have such great respect for Howard County,” Kittleman said.

The three agencies each released a report detailing why they gave the county a AAA rating, but only Moody’s Investor Services outlined specific weaknesses in the county’s financial outlook, including the county’s reliance on the federal government for employment and its growing debt burden. Moody’s report did not state what debts this includes.

These are both issues that were mentioned in the Spending Affordability Advisory Committee’s 2018 report, which said that companies in the county who work on government contracts could see business slow if the federal government pulls back spending and that it was concerned by the school system’s deficit, set to reach $50 million by summer.

Kittleman said he is not concerned about any possible effect the school system’s financial woes could have on the bond rating, which is also a factor in setting interest rates for borrowing for major projects.

The school system’s deficit, caused by an imbalance in its employee health and dental fund, is separate from the county government’s employee health fund. The Board of Education approved its $906.8 million budget proposal earlier this month, including an added $50 million request to pay back its debt.

Kittleman this week called the $50 million “unrealistic,” but said that Superintendent Michael Martirano’s $850.7 million budget request is “sound.” Kittleman said he was not prepared to say whether he would fully fund the school system’s request.

The county executive is scheduled to introduce his operating budget proposal to the County Council on April 23.

County, volunteers to unveil Elkridge fire station

County officials were expected to gather Saturday for a formal dedication of the new Elkridge Fire Station at 5700 Rowanberry Drive, Elkridge.

The new station replaces the previous Elkridge station on Old Washington Road, which ran its first call in November 1942. The new two-story facility is built on 7.5 acres site acquired by the county.

County Executive Allan H. Kittleman, Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services Chief John S. Butler and Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department President Julianna Casey were scheduled to attend the ceremonies, which occurred too late to be included in this edition.

Officials said the new station was built to place response services in a better location to respond to emergency incidents while remaining close to the estimated 16,000 residents in the Elkridge department’s nearly 15-square-mile first response area.

—?Staff reports

County office closings

for Good Friday, Easter

Howard County government offices, 50-plus centers and the animal shelter will be closed for the Good Friday holiday, March 30.

Courts and the Alpha Ridge Landfill will be open and regular trash, recycling, food scrap and yard trim services will be in effect.

County parks, community centers and the Robinson Nature Center also will be open on Good Friday. Cedar Lane and Schooley Mill Activity Rooms and the Meadowbrook Athletic Center will only be open for scheduled programs.

The Regional Transportation Agency will operate on a regular weekday schedule March 30.

Parking regulations and fees will be in effect on Good Friday, but not Easter.

County offices will open at regular business hours on Monday, April 2.

—?Staff reports

MakingChange hosts tax preparation services

MakingChange, a nonprofit in Howard County which works with individuals and families to help with financial stability, is hosting free tax preparation services at The MultiService Center in North Laurel and The NonProfit Collaborative in Columbia.

The locations are serving as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites offering free tax return preparation and filing to most taxpayers who earned up to $54,000 in 2017. The taxpayer’s eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit will also be determined. This year’s tax deadline is April 17, 2018.

The MultiService Center is at 9900 Washington Boulevard in Laurel. Free tax preparation services are available from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays; 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, through April 14. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 410-313-0241.

The NonProfit Collaborative is at 9770 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia. Free tax preparation services are available 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through April 11. For an appointment, call 443-518-7649.

—?Staff reports