Common Constituents: Collaboration with Municipal Partners at #MACoCon

At the MACo Summer Conference, panelists from both levels on local government discussed best practices for serving mutual residents. 

MACo is proud to offer a wide variety of educational topics and discussions as part of its Summer Conference. Topics range from parks and recreation to Artificial Intelligence to budgeting and everything in between. As a special session in 2024, MACo hosted an in-depth conversation about how counties and municipalities can better serve our mutual constituents.

Description: Join this discussion as county and municipal leaders talk through opportunities and best practices to coordinate and collaborate across forms of government, but who share the same residents. Discuss municipal annexation and its spillover effects on land use policy and growth management – with insights from both smooth and…less smooth… annexations in Maryland’s past. Discuss municipal incorporation process and law, and obstacles that face communities seeking more resources or relevance. Discuss tax setoffs for municipalities, and best practices to reach local agreements over them. Come with an open mind, bring questions, and plan to leave with some better perspectives.

Speakers:

  • Martha Sparks, Talbot Co Finance Officer
  • Paul Edwards, Garrett County Commissioner
  • The Honorable Michael O’Connor, Mayor of Frederick

Moderator: The Honorable Steve Johnson, Maryland House of Delegates