Frame by Frame: MACo’s 2024 Year in Review

With the 2024 year coming to an end, the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) reflects on a year of meaningful collaboration and dedicated advocacy for county priorities.

Here’s a special article looking back at the moments and milestones shared with our county partners and stakeholders throughout the year.

December 2023 – Newly sworn-in MACo 2024 President John Olszewski, Jr.
January 16 – MDGA24 House Appropriations Committee met to discuss the State Transportation Program. Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott, CE for Baltimore County John Olszewski, Jr., and Executive Director of MACo Michael Sanderson broke down the looming cutbacks and their effect on local services. Watch here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 24 – Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater joins the Conduit Street Podcast to discuss fast-growing Frederick – both as a challenge and an opportunity. Listen here 
February 15 – MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally joined county leaders to testify in support of legislation granting counties additional flexibility with local revenues, equipping counties with tools to meet their communities’ evolving needs, stimulate economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for residents.
February 21 – Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample joined county leaders to testify before the House Judiciary Committee in support of HB 895- Maryland Tort Claims Act- Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs- County Responsibility. Listen here.
March 7 – MACo Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic J. Butchko joined county leaders to testify before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee regarding MACo’s stance on legislation that cuts communities out of energy siting decisions. Listen here
March 6 – Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testifies before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee in opposition to SB 1085- Corrections- Segregated Housing- Limitations. Listen here
April 30 – MACo staff takes a tour of Queen Anne’s County guided by County Commissioner Jack Wilson, County Administrator Todd Mohn, and Economic & Tourism Development Director Heather Tinelli
May 1 – MACo Attending the County Engineers Association of Maryland (CEAM) 2024 Spring Conference
May 3 – Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman joined the Conduit Street Podcast to discuss her role as a statewide fiscal and policy leader. Listen here
May 16 – MD Comptroller Brooke Lierman (left) and MACo Attorneys Affiliate President Roscoe Leslie at the 2024 County Attorneys Conference
May 31 – MACo President and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr. and MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson kicked off MACo’s annual statewide series of county visits with stops at Frederick and Carroll Counties.
June 20 – MACo 2024 Board members embarked on the 2024 Spring Board Retreat in Baltimore County
July 12- The Maryland delegation – which included MACo staff – at the 2024 National Association of Counties Annual Conference & Exposition

 

August 6 – MACo President and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr. and MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson continue the county tours with a stop in Washington County.

August 14 – First day of MACo’s Summer Conference in Ocean City.
August 16 – U.S. Senator Cardin gives his final Town Hall Forum at the 2024 Winter Conference in Ocean City
August 17 – Governor of Maryland Wes Moore gives his Closing Address at the 2024 Summer Conference
October 30 – Speakers from Frederick County Planning, MD Dept of Ag, MD Energy Admin, and Lightstar on a panel at the 2024 Fall Symposium “21st Century Energy: Discussions on Maryland’s Renewable Energy Future.”
October 30 – The very first panel of the day at the 2024 Fall Symposium – Back to Basics: Foundations of Renewable Energy
October 24 – Michael Sanderson is voted President of the National Council of County Association Executives, an affiliate of the National Association of Counties (NACo)
November 1 & 8 – The Conduit Street Podcast hosted its first Ask Me Anything Episode. Listen here!
December 12 – Maryland Governor Wes Moore inaugurates the 2025 MACo Board of Directors & Officers
December 13 – 2025 General Assembly Forecast panel at the 2024 MACo Winter Conference