Howard County just earned some serious bragging rights. The Department of Finance scored the top national honor in government accounting—the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. It’s the gold standard, and HoCo nailed it. So what doe the department of Finance actually do? Howard County’s Department of Finance is like the county’s money manager and watchdog rolled into one. Here’s what they do:
Collect and manage county revenue — property taxes, fees, fines, and more
Pay the bills — everything from road repairs to library books
Invest public funds — responsibly growing the county’s money
Provide financial services — for taxpayers, residents, vendors, and county employees
Create official reports — like the annual financial statement that just won national honors
Ensure accountability — making sure every dollar is spent wisely and transparently
In short: They make the money stuff work, so the rest of the county can run smoothly.
