Howard County Is Ready for What’s Next
In a year defined by change, Howard County, Maryland, is leading with clarity. At the 2025 NACo Annual Conference, the county was honored with the prestigious cashVest® 90+ Award, a recognition reserved for counties that consistently achieve the highest standards in liquidity management and financial stewardship. 📄 Read the full press release here.
What sets Howard apart? It’s not just performance, it’s purpose. The county has even achieved a perfect cashVest score of 100. This level of consistency reflects intentional leadership, a highly capable finance team, and a shared commitment to putting public funds to work responsibly and strategically.
A Vision Fueled by Leadership and Insight
Howard County is not reacting to change; it is anticipating it. Under the leadership of County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball and Finance Director Rafiu Ighile, the county is aligning day-to-day cash management with long-term priorities.
Director Ighile is a nationally respected figure in public finance, serving as President of the Maryland GFOA and a member of the National GFOA Executive Board. His tenure has been marked by financial excellence, including multiple GFOA Certificates of Achievement in Financial Reporting, a sustained AAA bond rating, and, most recently, his county’s perfect 100 cashVest score. His vision, integrity, and dedication to transparency have positioned Howard County as a national model.
Turning Insight Into Impact
Powered by strategic leadership and a skilled finance team, Howard County uses cashVest by three+one to translate data into action. Together, they leverage the platform’s liquidity insights to uncover additional value for the community.
In Howard County, technology does not replace leadership; it empowers it. cashVest plays a supporting role in a broader strategy that is driven by people, performance, and purpose.
A Model for Modern Stewardship
Howard County’s approach to financial management is rooted in transparency, innovation, and results. Their success proves what is possible when local governments combine vision with the right tools.
Attending the MACo Annual Conference?
Attending the MACo Annual Conference? Connect with Zach Butler and Emilio Tripp from the three+one team at booth 709 and learn how we’re helping counties across Maryland strengthen their financial strategies without increasing staff while minimizing risk.
