#MACoCon: Counties Face Growing Costs, Tougher Budget Choices

At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, county leaders will examine the fiscal pressures reshaping local government budgets and the difficult choices many counties now face.

Rising education costs, infrastructure needs, inflation, State cost shifts, and uncertainty surrounding future federal funding are all placing additional pressure on county finances. At the same time, counties have few broad revenue options available when significant new expenses arise.

Funding the Future: Counties Confront Growing Costs, Limited Flexibility

County budgets look very different today than they did just a few years ago. Many of the fastest-growing costs are largely outside local control, yet counties remain responsible for maintaining core public services and balancing their budgets each year.

How do county governments prepare for that future? What long-term trends should local leaders be watching? And what options remain when costs continue to outpace available revenue?

This session will examine Maryland’s fiscal outlook, the major forces driving county budgets, and the difficult decisions local leaders may face in the years ahead. Panelists will also discuss the long-term sustainability of current funding structures and what counties need to remain financially resilient.

Speakers:

  • Robbie Sandlass, Treasurer, Harford County
  • Ed Gibson, Professor, University of Baltimore
  • Felix Facchine, Doctoral Student, University of Baltimore

Date/Time: Friday, August 14, 2026; 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm

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

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference: