Howard County Government
Columbia is a special community. It is both a postal designation and the community determined by New Town Zoning, but it is not an incorporated city; therefore, Howard County is the government of Columbia. The Columbia Association and community associations exist to provide additional services for the residents of the New Town. Some residents have a Columbia address but do not fall under New Town zoning and some residents fall under New Town Zoning but have an Ellicott City, Clarksville or Savage address. Because of these inconsistencies, determining which organization is responsible for what services can sometimes be a little confusing.
Howard County provides basic services including, but not limited to, schools and libraries, police, fire and rescue, planning and zoning, public works, health and social services and recreation and parks. The County Executive is elected at large and the five-member County Council is elected by district. Through designated executive and legislative powers, they share responsibility for the operation of the county government.
For more information about Howard County Governmen — current government issues, local officials listings — visit www.co.ho.md.us.
For additional information on local and state government, business news and job listings, the public school system and police and fire services, please contact the following:
Howard County Chamber of Commerce
Howard County Public School System
Howard County Libraries
Provides library locations in Howard County, on-line library catalog, online resources and databases, live homework help, calendar of events and employment and volunteer opportunities.
Howard
County Police
Email: policeliaison@co.ho.md.us
The Howard County Police department can be accessed on-line at the Howard County Government web site, www.co.ho.md.us, by clicking on the Your Government section. The site provides information on current local crimes, crime prevention tips, employment listings, daily crime reports and victim services information.
Northern District
410-313-3200
3410 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City
Southern District
410-313-3700
11226 Scaggsville Road, Laurel
Department
of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS)
DFRS
is composed of the County's Department of
Fire and Rescue Services divided into 4 bureaus
and 6 Volunteer Corporations. To access information
about DFRS on-line, visit the Howard County
Government website at www.co.ho.md.us and
click on the Your Government section. The
Fire and Rescue Services site provides contact
information for the bureaus and Volunteer
Corporations, answers to frequently asked
fire- and safety-related questions, fire
prevention tips, on-line burning permit applications
for recreational fires/bonfires, employment
opportunities and more.
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