The Budget - The county has a budget gap of at least $35 million, even if furloughs are kept in place. This means that there are many programs at risk for reduced funding, including the public school system. "Everyone is going to be feeling the pain in the budget," District 4 Councilman Jamie Benoit said.

Comprehensive Rezoning - It's not a fun process, but the county is several years behind in doing it. While there have been some calls for the county to do it all at once, it appears they will do it in segments, with the area around Odenton, Fort Meade and BWI Airport getting the first look. Expect some interesting battles between the county and landowners in the coming months.

Legislative Redistricting - The council is required to examine how districts are drawn in the county. There is hope among council members that the districts will remain roughly the same as they are now.

Utility Debt Service Fund - Money in this fund is expected to run out in about 40 years. That may seem like a long way off, but council members said that if something isn't done soon, the state could face major financial problems down the road. "That fund is quickly running out of money. It's our version of Social Security," Benoit said. 

Expansion at Arundel Mills - Construction of a casino at Arundel Mills is expected to begin soon. But the council still may play a role in ensuring that money coming from the project goes toward the necessary infrastructure improvements around the mall. If table games are added to the casino, as many expect, those upgrades will become even more important.