MACo’s Fall Symposium: Counties Navigating Federal Crosscurrents

Every year, MACo hosts a one-day symposium for county officials and professionals to dive deeply into a hot topic. The 2025 Fall Symposium will be held on October 23 and will focus on Counties Navigating Federal Crosscurrents.

MACo Fall Symposium

October 23, 2025 | 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
Crowne Plaza Annapolis

 Counties Navigating Federal Crosscurrents

 Counties sit at the crossroads of federal policy and local impact. When Washington makes decisions on funding, regulations, or enforcement, those choices don’t stay in DC — they ripple directly through county budgets, services, and communities. From Medicaid and healthcare to disaster relief, housing, and energy, states and county governments often carry the load of federal shifts while keeping residents safe and services stable.

 The 2025 Fall Symposium will bring together experts and local leaders to examine the biggest federal-local flashpoints of the moment. Sessions will explore how federal changes in funding, emergency management, climate and energy, and support for marginalized communities shape county decision-making on the ground. Through candid discussion and practical insights, participants will better understand how to advocate for county priorities and build stronger partnerships across all levels of government.

This is a MACo Members-Only Event: MACo Members are County Executives, County Commissioners, County Council Members and the employees of Maryland’s 24 county jurisdictions, including Baltimore City.

NonMembers:

  • may join the waitlist and will be invited to register for a fee of $95 if space remains by 10/20/25 – email kfrock@mdcounties.org to be added to the waitlist
  • may participate as sponsors or exhibitors – contact reginabz@mdcounties.org for details.

AGENDA:

  • 9:30 am – 9:45 am: Check-in and Coffee – Coffee and Beverages
  • 9:45 am – 10:00 am: Welcome and Introductions
  • 10:00 am – 11:00 am: Emergency Management in Transition: Counties on the Front Line
    Counties are always first in and last out when disaster strikes, but federal support for emergency management is shifting. From FEMA reimbursements to disaster relief funding, counties face new uncertainties that complicate planning, response, and recovery. This session will take a close look at how changes at the federal level affect local emergency operations, what counties need to know about navigating federal rules and reimbursements, and how local leaders can position themselves to secure resources when it matters most. Panelists will share lessons learned and discuss how counties can push for a stronger federal-local partnership to keep communities safe and resilient.
  • 11:00 am – 11:15 am: Break
  • 11:15 am – 12:15 pm: Budget Battles in Washington, Fallout in Maryland
    Federal budget and policy decisions don’t just happen in Washington, their impact lands squarely on county budgets and services. From changes to the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, to rising Medicaid and healthcare obligations, to shifts in federal education and public safety support, counties are left making tough choices when federal commitments shrink or change. This session will highlight how these federal shifts directly affect county operations, examine real impacts across Maryland, and explore strategies for local leaders to advocate for stronger federal-county partnerships that keep essential services funded and sustainable.
  • 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm: Working Lunch – Roundtable Discussions
  • 1:00 pm – 1:15 pm: Break
  • 1:15 pm – 2:15pm: Climate, Energy, and the Feds: Local Impacts of National Policy
    Federal climate and energy policies are reshaping how counties plan, build, and regulate. From clean energy incentives and funding streams to new rules on emissions, permitting, and grid projects, counties must balance federal direction with their own land-use authority, community priorities, and State climate goals. At the same time, federal preemption can limit local decision-making, even as counties are expected to lead on siting renewable energy projects. This session will look at where federal rules align with or complicate Maryland’s state and local climate commitments, and how counties can keep their voices at the table while working toward a sustainable energy future.
  • 2:15 pm – 3:00 pm: Federal Policy and Marginalized Communities: County Roles and Responsibilities
    Federal decisions on immigration, housing, healthcare, and civil rights frequently land hardest on marginalized and minority communities; and by extension, on the counties that serve them directly. Policy shifts in Washington can change funding streams, alter enforcement priorities, or introduce new compliance requirements with little warning, leaving counties to bridge the gap between federal intent and community impact. Counties are often on the front line of this work, delivering services like housing assistance, public health programs, workforce development, and legal protections. Missteps or misunderstandings carry serious consequences — for residents, for community trust, and for county liability. This session will examine how counties in Maryland are navigating the intersection of federal policy and local service delivery, with a focus on ensuring equity, protecting vulnerable populations, and maintaining compliance with rapidly evolving federal rules. Panelists will share perspectives from community advocates and county officials on what’s working, where the gaps are, and what counties should be watching next.

MACo Members: VIEW REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at this event? NonMembers may participate and attend as sponsors or exhibitors. Contact reginabz@mdcounties.org