Frederick Unveils Initiatives to Protect Forest Cover, Environmental, Historic Resources
Photo courtesy of Frederick County Government
County News / Environment / News You Can Use
Frederick Unveils Initiatives to Protect Forest Cover, Environmental, Historic Resources

Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner last week unveiled two initiatives to protect Frederick County’s forests, environmental resources, and historic and cultural assets. The first legislative initiative strengthens the County’s Forest Resource Ordinance with the goal to protect existing forests and ensure no net loss of forest as the result of new development. The second legislative proposal amends the county zoning ordinance to require consideration and protection of the forest, environmentally sensitive areas, and historic assets…

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February 17, 2020
Employee Benefits and Relations / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
Senator Cardin Sponsors Legislation to Allow Retirement Match on Student Loan Repayments

Maryland senior U.S. Senator, Ben Cardin, is sponsoring bipartisan legislation to allow employer-sponsored 401(k), 403(b) and SIMPLE retirement plans to make matching contributions for an employee's student loan payments as if the loan payments were salary reduction contributions to the retirement plan. The Retirement Security & Savings Act (S. 1431), sponsored by U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Rob Portman, includes a broad set of reforms designed to strengthen Americans’ retirement security. One such reform aims…

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February 14, 2020
Help Is on the Way for Broadband Data
County News / Economic Development / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
Help Is on the Way for Broadband Data

Congress is poised to pass sweeping legislation to address the inaccuracies of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) national broadband coverage data. The House and Senate recently passed the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act (S. 822/H.R. 4229). The bipartisan legislation requires wired, fixed wireless, and satellite broadband providers to collect more service availability data and directs the FCC to develop a system for state and local governments to report verified coverage data. Lawmakers…

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February 12, 2020
Washington County Launches NG911 Initiative
County News / Emergency Management / Information Technology / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning / Public Safety and Corrections
Washington County Launches NG911 Initiative

Washington County today announced a multi-phase plan to implement a countywide Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) system. The initiative will be completed in two phases. Phase one will include a countywide address update to improve location accuracy services for emergency responders, and phase two will implement NG911 technology. Maryland’s 9-1-1 system has performed admirably for decades. However, new data-rich communications devices and services are driving the existing 9-1-1 infrastructure toward its operational limits. The vision of…

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February 11, 2020
Harford Retains Triple-AAA Bond Rating
County Budgets / County News / Finance and Procurement
Harford Retains Triple-AAA Bond Rating

Harford County today announced that the three major bond rating agencies reaffirmed the County’s AAA bond rating. The ratings from Fitch, Moody’s, and Standard & Poor’s place Harford among an estimated 2% of counties nationwide to earn the top rating from all three agencies. The AAA rating keeps borrowing costs low for capital projects, and reflect the County’s sound fiscal policies, prudent long-range planning, and robust economy. “I am proud that all three rating agencies…

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February 10, 2020
County News / Environment / NACo and Federal Issues
Trump Budget Proposal Includes Deep Cuts to Chesapeake Bay Program

President Donald Trump today unveiled a $4.8 trillion FY 2021 budget proposal that slashes funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program. The budget request, which includes just $7.1 million for the Bay Program, comes just weeks after the President signed a bipartisan agreement to boost its funding from $73 million in 2019 to $85 million this year. The Chesapeake Bay Program coordinates the science and modeling that drive restoration efforts, provides state grants for cleanup programs,…

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February 10, 2020
Board of Public Works / County News
Maryland Board of Public Works – February 19, 2020 Agenda

Maryland’s Board of Public Works (BPW) reviews projects, contracts, and expenditure plans for state agencies – many of which have an effect on county governments. The BPW is composed of Governor Larry Hogan, Treasurer Nancy Kopp, and Comptroller Peter Franchot. It meets on alternating Wednesdays and the meetings are open to the public. The meeting will be held in Governor’s Reception Room on the 2nd floor of the State House in Annapolis. The Board’s next meeting is scheduled…

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February 10, 2020
County News / Economic Development / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / News You Can Use / Public Safety and Corrections
Maryland Aviation Administration Offers Guidance on Drone Rules, Regulations

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Aviation Administration (MDOT MAA) is reminding local governments that the State has exclusive power to regulate drone usage, and that counties and municipalities are preempted from enacting local ordinances that prohibit, restrict, or regulate the testing or operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Recognizing the importance of working collaboratively to safely advance drone activity while balancing local community interests, MDOTMAA is providing local governments with resources and guidance for…

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February 7, 2020
Cecil Earns “StormReady” Certification from National Weather Service
County News
Cecil Earns “StormReady” Certification from National Weather Service

Cecil County has completed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service (NWS) preparedness requirements necessary to renew the distinction of being a “StormReady Community." According to a press release: StormReady is a nationwide community preparedness program that uses a grassroots approach to help communities develop plans to handle all types of extreme weather from tornadoes, to tropical cyclones and winter storms. The program encourages communities to take a new, proactive approach to improving…

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February 7, 2020
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