#MACoCon Academy Core Classes to Focus on Open Meetings and County Financial Management

County Fellows of the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance are required to complete 8 Core Courses and 6 Elective Credits – MACo announces 2 Core Courses to be held at the 2024 Summer Conference.

The Academy for Excellence in Local Governance is a volunteer certificate program for elected and appointed county and municipal officials. The program provides a strong background of necessary skills and knowledge for local government leaders. It was founded by MACo and MML, is facilitated by the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy, and is sponsored by the Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT).

Academy courses are open to ALL conference registrants (register online) – Academy Fellows must complete evaluation forms for each class to earn credit.

Academy Fellows with questions about their transcripts should contact registrar Elizabeth Hinson at ehinson@umd.edu.

2024 MACo Summer Conference Academy Core Courses

(All courses will be completely in-person, with no virtual option. Participants must be conference registrants to attend – daily options are available.)

County Financial Management

A challenge faced by new and veteran county officials is understanding and using the government budget process, the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, and other financial documents effectively as tools for setting priorities and managing the government while maintaining the fiscal integrity of the jurisdiction. Fiscal management can be infused with economic assumptions, technical jargon, and a process that seems foreign to the uninitiated. In this class, veteran public administrators discuss the budget process and financial reporting, as well as giving practical tips for county officials. This is a Core course in the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance program. Any conference attendee is welcome to participate. Academy Fellows must complete an evaluation form to receive credit.

Speaker: Ted Zaleski, Director of Budget and Management, Carroll County

Moderator: The Honorable J. Patrick McLaughlin, Commissioner, Queen Anne’s County

Date/Time: Wednesday, August 14, 2024; 3:15 pm – 4:45 pm

Open Meetings Act

 This class provides an overview of Maryland’s Open Meetings Act law, which guides public officials in the requirements for providing public notice of the meetings that public bodies hold to conduct public business and for closing meetings when appropriate. The presenters focus on steps that local governments can take to comply with the law’s application to Maryland local government, discuss some of the cases and complaints that have come before the Open Meetings Compliance Board, and, if time permits, address questions from the audience. This is a Core course in the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance program. Any conference attendee is welcome to participate. Academy Fellows must complete an evaluation form to receive credit.

Speakers:

  • Frank Johnson, Deputy City Attorney, Gaithersburg
  • April Ishak, Principal, Ishak Law Firm

Moderator: The Honorable James “Randy” Guy, President, Commissioners of St. Mary’s County

Date/Time: Wednesday, August 14, 2024; 1:15 pm – 2:45 pm

MACo is also offering 6 elective courses at the Summer Conference.

Read about all the sessions being offered at MACo’s Summer Conference.

You must be registered for the conference to attend – REGISTER TODAY!

Please note: Academy Fellows do not need to notify MACo they will be attending these courses. They only need to complete the Academy evaluation forms for each session to receive credit toward their certificate.

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference: