State and Local Collaboration at the Forefront of 2024 County Attorneys Conference

County attorneys shared time with the Office of the Attorney General, the Comptroller, esteemed members of the Maryland Courts, and the Public Service Commission during the 2024 MACo County Attorneys Affiliate Conference.

The Maryland Association of County Civil Attorneys, also known as the MACo County Attorneys Affiliate, hosted their 2024 County Attorneys Conference at Great Wolf Lodge in Cecil County last week with a full agenda on May 16th. Affiliate President Roscoe Leslie, Worcester County Attorney, welcomed guests and guided discussions throughout the day. A major goal of this annual gathering is to bring jurisdictions together to share ideas, concerns, and solutions for common issues. As the representatives of the county governments, it is also imperative that this group maintain strong relationships and open lines of communication with state agencies and entities that play a role in regulating local government activities.

Highlights from the day include:

  • A thorough review and vetting of the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) process between local governments and the Public Service Commission with the Commission Advisor and Staff Attorney, Katharine Moriarty
  • An update from the Public Access Ombudsman Lisa Kershner and Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the Public Access Ombudsman Sara Klemm, on how counties can effectively use the office as a tool for mediation and resolution on disputes arising from public information requests.
  • A visit with the Comptroller Brooke Lierman covered the states revenue outlook, tips for presenting to the Board of Public Works, and tax collection and disbursement modernization.
  • A presentation from Supreme Court Justice Brynja Booth and Circuit Court Judge Heather Lynn Price on legal trends for local governments as observed through the courts. Cases of interest covered:
    • the application of and adherence to local ethics codes in local council matters
    • fee simple title conveyed by deed disputes with private property owners
    • eligibility for council membership for county employees and local codes
    • uniformity standards and local zoning

The next attorneys conference will be held in May of 2025 and is open to all county attorneys across the twenty-four jurisdictions.

Conduit Street coverage of 2023 Attorneys Conference featuring the Maryland Department of the Environment, Chief Legal Counsel to Governor Moore, and Assistant Attorney General to the Maryland Cannabis Administration.