Read more about the article Your Road to MACoCon Podcast Playlist, Powered by The Briefing Room
County Budgets / County News / Housing and Community Development
Your Road to MACoCon Podcast Playlist, Powered by The Briefing Room

Heading to MACo’s Summer Conference? Of course you are, and The Conduit Street Podcast's The Briefing Room has your drive covered. As county leaders, partners, and policy professionals make their way to MACoCon this week, The Briefing Room is trading a new episode for a chance to catch up on our latest deep-dive series. Over the last six episodes, MACo’s Dom Butchko and Baltimore County Director of Housing & Community Development Terry Hickey have taken…

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August 10, 2026
Read more about the article Special Bonus Episode: Frederick County’s Data Center Playbook
County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Environment / Information Technology
Special Bonus Episode: Frederick County’s Data Center Playbook

Following the response to The Briefing Room's energy series, we're revisiting one of the topics that generated the most listener interest: data centers. In this special bonus episode, Dom Butchko is joined by Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater to discuss why Frederick County has become one of Maryland's leaders in developing local data center policy. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and…

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August 7, 2026
Read more about the article Calvert County Adopts FY27 Budget, Expands School Safety Investments
County Budgets / County News
Calvert County Adopts FY27 Budget, Expands School Safety Investments

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners has approved a $420 million Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget that maintains current tax rates while increasing investments in education, school safety, transportation infrastructure, and employee compensation. The budget keeps the county's local income tax rate at 3.2% and property tax rate at 96.7 cents per $100 of assessed value, although officials note some homeowners may still see higher tax bills because of increased property assessments conducted by…

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August 6, 2026
Read more about the article Baltimore Seeks New Fee Structure To Maintain City-Owned Conduit System
County News / Housing and Community Development / Risk Management / Transportation and Public Works
Baltimore Seeks New Fee Structure To Maintain City-Owned Conduit System

Baltimore City is proposing a new fee structure for companies that use its municipally owned underground conduit system, an effort aimed at providing sustainable funding to maintain and modernize one of the city's most important pieces of public infrastructure. The proposal would establish a $4.05 per linear foot franchise fee for Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) and other conduit users beginning January 1, 2027. The rate would also be adjusted for inflation moving forward. Baltimore's…

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August 6, 2026
Read more about the article Special Session Adjourns, Redistricting Question Heads to Voters
Elections / General Assembly News
Special Session Adjourns, Redistricting Question Heads to Voters

Maryland's special legislative session concluded Tuesday night with final passage of HB 2100, placing a proposed constitutional amendment on the November 2026 general election ballot. If approved by voters, the amendment would clarify that Maryland's constitutional requirements for compact, contiguous legislative districts apply only to General Assembly districts. It also would add new constitutional language stating that nothing in the Maryland Constitution, including the Declaration of Rights, provides applicable criteria for congressional district boundaries. In…

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August 6, 2026
Read more about the article Anne Arundel Earns National Correctional Healthcare Accreditation
County News / Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections
Anne Arundel Earns National Correctional Healthcare Accreditation

The Anne Arundel County Department of Detention Facilities has earned accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) after demonstrating compliance with nationally recognized standards for healthcare services in correctional facilities. The voluntary accreditation follows a comprehensive assessment of the Jennifer Road Detention Center, where reviewers evaluated healthcare operations across a range of areas, including patient care, disease prevention, health promotion, governance, staff training, services for individuals with special needs, and medical-legal compliance.…

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August 6, 2026
Read more about the article New State Survey Highlights Gains in Youth Health
County News / Health and Human Services
New State Survey Highlights Gains in Youth Health

Maryland's latest youth health survey offers encouraging signs of progress while underscoring the continued need for strong behavioral health services and prevention efforts. New survey data from the Maryland Department of Health show encouraging improvements in several key indicators of youth health, including declines in tobacco and cannabis use and fewer students reporting persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. However, the data points to continued concerns around bullying, dating violence, and the impact of social…

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August 6, 2026
Read more about the article Maryland Releases First Statewide EV Infrastructure Plan
County News / Economic Development / Environment / Transportation and Public Works
Maryland Releases First Statewide EV Infrastructure Plan

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) has released the state's first Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan (ZEVIP), providing counties and other local partners with a roadmap for expanding public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure over the next five years. The plan examines projected EV adoption and charging needs through 2031 while outlining strategies to support future charging investments across Maryland. It is intended to help state agencies, local governments, utilities, and private-sector partners coordinate infrastructure…

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August 6, 2026
Read more about the article MACo Fall Symposium – Harnessing AI: Opportunities and Responsibilities for Counties
Information Technology / MACo Events
MACo Fall Symposium – Harnessing AI: Opportunities and Responsibilities for Counties

Every year, MACo hosts a one-day symposium for county officials and professionals to dive deeply into a hot topic. The 2026 Fall Symposium will be held on September 14 and will focus on artificial intelligence responsibilities and opportunities for counties. MACo Fall Symposium September 14, 2026 9:30 am – 3:00 pm Crowne Plaza Annapolis   Harnessing AI: Opportunities and Responsibilities for Counties  Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the way governments serve residents, support employees, and…

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August 6, 2026
Read more about the article Virginia White Named MACo Deputy Executive Director
County News
Virginia White Named MACo Deputy Executive Director

Virginia White, longtime leader of MACo's conferences and Member Services team, named as Deputy Executive Director. Virginia joined MACo in December of 2010 as Meetings and Events Director, and quickly established herself as an effective and forward-thinking leader. Her professional growth within the organization to Member Services Director, then Deputy Director, showcase her dedication to MACo’s mission and membership. In Virginia’s time at MACo, the organization has seen noteworthy growth in conference attendance, educational offerings,…

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August 6, 2026
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