Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) President and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski and MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson kicked off MACo’s annual statewide series of county visits this week with stops at Frederick County and Carroll County.
As part of this time-honored annual effort, MACo leaders will tour each member county across Maryland and host discussions with local officials to deepen the connection between the non-profit, non-partisan organization and its member counties and help inform policy and positions on executive and legislative proposals to increase counties’ capacity to better serve their residents.
“At its core, the Maryland Association of Counties is a member-driven organization, which is why I am thrilled to begin—and remain committed to— engaging with and listening to elected officials from across our state so that we can continue to uphold MACo’s promise of a better quality of life for all Marylanders,” Olszewski said. “Maryland is an incredibly diverse and vibrant state and our shared values and will continue to bring us
together as we tackle our common challenges.”
“Meeting face to face with our member counties is an invaluable part of our ongoing work to serve all our counties and all t
heir residents,” Sanderson said. “This annual effort is a critical reminder of the inspiring work county leaders do and helps ensure MACo can best represent all counties, fight for their priorities, and continue to deliver results.”
On the first leg of the tour, MACo leaders joined the Frederick County Council on May 18 for a far-ranging discussion focused on school board budgeting, planning and zoning policy issues impacting local housing, and a variety of other topics. Later that day, officials joined County Executive Jessica Fitzwater for a conversation focused on the newly-passed County budget and launching plans to work together on multiple local initiatives requiring General Assembly support for the 2025 legislative session.
On Thursday, May 30, MACo leaders traveled to Carroll County to meet with the Carroll County Commissioners for a post-session presentation, followed by a roundtable discussion with the county’s governing body touching on topics including Annapolis relationship-building and continued pressures from solar energy development.
MACo’s statewide county tours will be scheduled in coordination with local governing bodies throughout the remainder of the year.
About the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo): MACo is a non-profit and non-partisan organization that serves Maryland county governments by articulating their needs and ideas to the Maryland General Assembly. The Association’s membership is composed of county elected officials and representatives from Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City. MACo’s members determine Association policy and positions on executive and legislative proposals through an elected Board of Directors and Legislative Committee. Through MACo’s advocacy, training, education programs, and annual conferences, members are provided with endless opportunities to increase their capacity to serve their residents.
