Read more about the article Dec 13 Board of Public Works Meeting: Here’s What Counties Need to Know
Board of Public Works / Economic Development / Parks and Recreation / School Construction and Capital Budgets
Dec 13 Board of Public Works Meeting: Here’s What Counties Need to Know

The Board of Public Works (BPW) — a three-member panel including Governor Wes Moore, Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and State Treasurer Dereck Davis — reviews projects, contracts, and expenditure plans for state agencies, many of which affect county governments. The BPW considered and approved the following requests and recommendations at its meeting on December 13, 2023: Allegany County A request from the Department of Housing and Community Development for approval to provide a $2,820,000 loan under…

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December 18, 2023
Read more about the article Blueprint to the Blueprint? Leaders Discuss Implementing Education Reform at #MACoCon
County News / Education / Winter Conference
Blueprint to the Blueprint? Leaders Discuss Implementing Education Reform at #MACoCon

At the 2023 MACo Winter Conference, local and state leaders presented on the state of Blueprint implementation and the ongoing concerns for long-term success.  Maryland’s landmark education reform law known as “The Blueprint” envisioned historical changes and investments in the state’s public schools. Now into implementation, the plan is still evolving and reality is setting in − sometimes leaving counties and school systems seeking a blueprint to the “The Blueprint.”Where is Maryland in reaching goals…

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December 14, 2023
Read more about the article Academy Core: Fellows Learn the Ins and Outs of the Public Information Act at #MACoCon
Government Liability and Courts / Intergovernmental Relations / Risk Management / Winter Conference
Academy Core: Fellows Learn the Ins and Outs of the Public Information Act at #MACoCon

At the 2023 MACo Winter Conference Academy Core class on the Public Information Act, fellows learned about the uses of the PIA, a county government's responsibilities relating to the PIA, and how to be a good steward of county information and data. The Academy for Excellence in Local Governance is a volunteer certificate program for elected and appointed county and municipal officials. The program provides a strong background of necessary skills and knowledge for local government…

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December 13, 2023
Read more about the article Lead Economist Lays Out Maryland’s Economic Forecast at #MACoCon
County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Finance and Procurement / NACo and Federal Issues / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Winter Conference
Lead Economist Lays Out Maryland’s Economic Forecast at #MACoCon

At the 2023 MACo Winter Conference, economist Dr. Daraius Irani explained Maryland's current economic conditions and forecasted where the state might head. At the MACo Winter Conference general session, “In This Economy? Forecasting and Funding Maryland’s Future,” leading economist Dr. Daraius Irani reviewed the trends and expectations for Maryland’s near-term economy and its effects on county governments. Dr. Irani National covered how national economic trends affect our workforce, our local economy, and the county government’s…

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December 12, 2023
Read more about the article At #MACoCon, Counties Prepare for When Global Environmental Threats Become Local Health Concerns
County News / Environment / Health and Human Services / Winter Conference
At #MACoCon, Counties Prepare for When Global Environmental Threats Become Local Health Concerns

DAt the 2023 MACo Winter Conference, public health experts tackled preparing for the next environmental threat to Maryland's health. As communities learned from COVID-19, what happens globally can quickly become a local threat. Milder winters, warmer summers, and fewer frost days are making it easier for infectious diseases such as Lyme, West Nile, rabies, dengue, and salmonellosis to expand into new habitats and infect more people. Animals have been pushed from native areas due to…

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December 12, 2023
Read more about the article #MACoCon Explores Bringing Data Centers to Maryland
County News / Energy / Environment / Information Technology / Winter Conference
#MACoCon Explores Bringing Data Centers to Maryland

At the 2023 MACo Winter Conference, local and state experts discussed the future of data centers in Maryland. Maryland is strongly positioned to be a winner in the next cycle of technology-driven growth in the Eastern United States, because of its many strengths – a very well-educated workforce, excellent proximity to major population centers, and a wealth of local resources that can drive innovation and excellence in cyber fields, bio technology, and related fields. Among…

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December 12, 2023
Read more about the article County Leaders Explore Ways to Maximize #Cybersecurity Cash at #MACoCon
County News / Cyber / Information Technology / Winter Conference
County Leaders Explore Ways to Maximize #Cybersecurity Cash at #MACoCon

County leaders at the 2023 MACo Summer Conference discussed a number of state and federal opportunities for cybersecurity cash and maximizing resources. Budgets are tight, but the ever-growing cyber threat landscape jeopardizes sensitive information, public safety, and the delivery of essential services. Now more than ever, counties must bolster cybersecurity and prioritize cyber resilience through collaborative efforts to identify, protect against, detect, and respond to malicious cyber threats. In the session, "Maximizing Your Cybersecurity Cash,"…

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December 12, 2023
Read more about the article The Long-Term Benefits and Challenges of Short-Term Rentals Discussed at #MACoCon
Economic Development / Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Tourism / Winter Conference
The Long-Term Benefits and Challenges of Short-Term Rentals Discussed at #MACoCon

County leaders at the 2023 MACo Summer Conference explored the good, the bad, and the ugly of short-term rentals for counties. Counties leverage hotel or lodging taxes on traditional hotel stays as a driver of local revenue and economic development. Maryland’s tourism is evolving, however, with a greater share of visitors opting for short-term rentals. The #MACoCon panel "Double-Edged Sword: Do Short-Term Stays Have Long-Term Benefits" explored the multitude of county government considerations around this…

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December 11, 2023
Read more about the article Public Service Hiring, Retention, and Intergenerational Cohesion Front and Center at #MACoCon
County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor / Winter Conference
Public Service Hiring, Retention, and Intergenerational Cohesion Front and Center at #MACoCon

County leaders at the 2023 MACo Summer Conference explored ongoing challenges to hiring and retaining talented county staff and discussed ways to close the public service generational gap. The fast-changing workforce dynamic feels even more tumultuous post-pandemic, with potential employees evaluating workplace options closely. Our public sector continues to struggle to recruit and retain employees – with an old formula of security and benefits sometimes proving to be insufficient to maintain staffing levels. At the…

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December 11, 2023
Read more about the article Nov 29 Board of Public Works Meeting: Here’s What Counties Need to Know
Board of Public Works / County News / Economic Development / Parks and Recreation / School Construction and Capital Budgets
Nov 29 Board of Public Works Meeting: Here’s What Counties Need to Know

The Board of Public Works (BPW) — a three-member panel including Governor Wes Moore, Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and State Treasurer Dereck Davis — reviews projects, contracts, and expenditure plans for state agencies, many of which affect county governments. The BPW considered and approved the following requests and recommendations at its meeting on November 29, 2023: Allegany County A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $420,000 grant to the City of Cumberland for…

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November 30, 2023
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