Howard County faces critical staffing shortages and recruitment challenges in several departments, according to reports from County Executive Ken Ulman?s Transition Team.
“It?s clear county government is run by a great group of employees,” said Team Chairman and state Del. Guy Guzzone, D-District 13, adding that the county should support those employees with training, salary and higher staff levels.
Staffing was one of dozens of findings and recommendations in the individual reports from the team?s nine subcommittees, presented to Ulman on Friday.
The subcommittees worked for three months and received public comment.
“I have a lot of reading to do,” Ulman said after receiving the binder of the team?s findings.
In Howard?s public safety agencies, county officials need to bring the salary and benefits in line with surrounding jurisdictions, according to a subcommittee report. With about 40 percent of Howard?s police department eligible to retire, the force is facing immediate staffing shortages.
The school system also is competing with other jurisdictions, and Howard should support the school?s recruitment efforts, a report states.
Several of the recommendations may require additional revenue, which could challenge the new administration, Ulman said.
“These potentially are challenging times moving forward,” he said, adding that revenue streams such as the transfer tax are down.
