What’s Next for County Budgets? Find Out at #MACoCon

At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, county leaders will examine one of local government’s most pressing challenges: balancing growing fiscal demands with limited revenue flexibility.

County governments continue to navigate rising education and infrastructure costs, State cost shifts, inflation, and economic uncertainty while delivering the essential services residents rely on every day. As these pressures mount, local leaders are increasingly focused on sustaining core services, maintaining long-term financial stability, and preparing for future economic challenges.

Funding the Future: Counties Confront Growing Costs, Limited Flexibility

Counties face mounting fiscal pressures from multiple directions. Rising operating costs, State cost shifts, infrastructure needs, and economic uncertainty continue to strain local budgets, while counties have limited authority to generate new revenue.

This session will explore the financial challenges shaping county budgets today and the broader conversation about long-term fiscal sustainability. Panelists will discuss how counties are adapting to rising costs, planning for economic uncertainty, managing budget risks, and preparing for future financial challenges while continuing to deliver essential public services.

Speakers:

  • Ed Gibson, Lecturer and MPA Program Director, University of Baltimore
  • Felix Facchine, Doctoral Student, University of Baltimore
  • Robbie Sandlass, Treasurer, Harford County

Date/Time: Thursday, August 13, 2026; 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

MACo’s Summer Conference, Build What’s Next, takes place August 12-15, 2026, at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland. For more information, visit the conference website.

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference: