Columbia Association’s (CA) board of directors will hold a public budget hearing on Thursday, Oct. 13, at 7:30 p.m., at CA Headquarters, 6310 Hillside Court, off of Stevens Forest Road (near the Howard County vehicle emissions inspection station).

This hearing is one of several opportunities for residents, representatives of village community associations, advisory committee members and others to weigh in on fiscal 2018, the second year of CA’s two-year budget cycle. Earlier in 2016, CA’s board passed the budget for fiscal 2017 (which runs from May 2016 through April 2017) and for a conditional budget for fiscal 2018 (which runs May 2017 through April 2018).

Speakers are encouraged to provide written versions of their remarks. There will be time limits for each speaker: three minutes for individuals, five minutes for groups and 10 minutes for village community associations. Testimony also can be provided via email at [email protected]; or by mail to Columbia Association Accounting Department, 6310 Hillside Court, Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21046.

The full schedule of budget work sessions and meetings began in September and continues into February. These meetings are open to the public; each is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m.

  • Thursday, Oct. 13: A CA board work session including a public hearing for all stakeholders regarding additions and deletions to the conditional fiscal 2018 budget.
  • Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017: A CA board work session for deliberation on stakeholders’ proposed additions and deletions to the conditional fiscal 2018 budget. The board will discuss the proposed changes and board-approved threshold adjustments, as well as the annual charge rate and cap for fiscal 2018, and will take straw votes.
  • Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017: A second CA board work session for deliberation on adjustments and inputs to the conditional fiscal 2018 budget.
  • Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017: A CA board meeting that will include discussion of and voting on approval of the final fiscal 2018 budget revisions and annual charge rate and cap.

The approved fiscal 2017 and conditional fiscal 2018 budgets are online at ColumbiaAssociation.org/budget.