Washington County Invests in Existing School Facilities
General Assembly News / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Winter Conference
Washington County Invests in Existing School Facilities

The Herald-Mail Media reports that Washington County Public Schools undertook 113 facilities projects and major work at 14 buildings over the course of the summer. Maintenance and upgrades to current school buildings can help extend their useful life. As reported by Herald-Mail Media, Chief Operating Officer Jeffrey Proulx said any investment the system can make in maintaining its infrastructure is beneficial because the district doesn’t know what the lifecycle of its buildings will be. For…

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October 21, 2019
Cecil Kicks Off Economic Development Week
Cecil County Executive Alan McCarthy presents a proclamation recognizing Economic Development Week (photo courtesy of Cecil County Government)
County News / Economic Development
Cecil Kicks Off Economic Development Week

This week, the Cecil County Office of Economic Development (OED) will recognize the County's economic growth by joining the Maryland Economic Development Association’s (MEDA) celebration of Economic Development Week. The weeklong celebration emphasizes the importance of economic development and showcases the efforts and initiatives which improve business retention, job growth, and quality of life for all Maryland residents. “There has never been a more exciting time than right now to support economic development in Cecil County,”…

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October 21, 2019
Washington County Names New Director of Human Resources
Rachel Brown (photo courtesy of Washington County Government)
County News / Human Resources
Washington County Names New Director of Human Resources

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners today appointed Rachel Brown as director of human resources. "Ms. Brown comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and the successful experience needed to serve an organization of our size and complexity," County Administrator Rob Slocum said. A lifelong County resident and active community member, Rachel will serve the HR Director position both personably and professionally." According to a press release: Brown is joining Washington County Government…

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October 21, 2019
County News
Two Longtime MACo Staff in Transition

Two familiar faces from the MACo staff, Leslie Knapp, Jr. and Robin Clark Eilenberg, will be departing from their roles with MACo in the weeks ahead. Les Knapp, serving as MACo's Legal and Policy Counsel, will mark 15 years with the Association later this year. In the weeks ahead, he will step down from his full-time role with the MACo policy team, in order to commit further to his family's farm and business in Calvert…

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October 18, 2019
MDE Unveils Draft Climate Change Plan
Agriculture / Economic Development / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
MDE Unveils Draft Climate Change Plan

A Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) news release (2019-10-15) unveiled the State's long-awaited draft Greenhouse Reduction Act (GRRA) Plan. The draft plan outlines what the State and local governments will need to do to reduce in-state greenhouse gas emissions by 40% from their 2006 levels by 2030 and prepare for further reductions in the future. The draft plan anticipates achieving a 44% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and will result in a…

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October 18, 2019
MACo Discusses County Energy Siting Issues With Governor’s Renewable Energy Task Force
Agriculture / Environment / Planning and Zoning
MACo Discusses County Energy Siting Issues With Governor’s Renewable Energy Task Force

MACo Legal and Policy Counsel Les Knapp discussed county solar siting issues before the Task Force on Renewable Energy and Siting on October 17. The Task Force was formed by Governor Larry Hogan earlier this year and will soon be preparing a preliminary report on renewable energy siting recommendations and legislation for the 2020 Session. The Presentation Knapp covered several topics in the presentation, including: the State's climate change and energy goals; MACo's general position…

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October 18, 2019
Multiple States Challenging EPA on WOTUS Definition Rollback, Air Emission Standards
Agriculture / Environment / Government Liability and Courts
Multiple States Challenging EPA on WOTUS Definition Rollback, Air Emission Standards

A Maryland Independent article (2019-10-14) reported that multiple states, including Maryland, are challenging recent regulatory changes made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the Clean Water Act, including repealing a change to the "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) definition and proposed limits to Section 401 of the Act, which allows states to block construction of interstate projects like pipelines or dams if they would damage local water quality. Waters falling under the WOTUS…

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October 18, 2019
Sun Editorial Urges Action Against Climate Change “Indifference” Based on Naval Academy Risk
Environment / Planning and Zoning
Sun Editorial Urges Action Against Climate Change “Indifference” Based on Naval Academy Risk

A Baltimore Sun editorial (2019-10-14) expressed frustration about a perceived lack of interest in climate change effects in Maryland and urged the state and local communities to take action. The editorial was based on a recent article published by the U.S. Naval Institute discussing the potential of having to relocate the U.S. Naval Academy due to sea level rise. The Naval Institute article noted that the Academy is particularly vulnerable to climate change as it is located…

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October 18, 2019
Carroll Sells Bonds at Record-Low Interest Rates
County Budgets / County News / Finance and Procurement
Carroll Sells Bonds at Record-Low Interest Rates

Carroll County this week sold $70 million of bonds at historically low interest rates, a direct reflection of the County's recent AAA credit rating from all three major financial rating agencies. Comptroller Robert Burk said the new bonds were sold at an interest rate of 2.19%. The interest rate on refinanced debt — 1.39% for tax-exempt and 2.27% for taxable bonds — will save the County over $5 million. “We are thrilled to receive the…

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October 18, 2019
Cecil Officials, Attorney General Discuss County’s Proposed Opioid and Addiction Initiatives
County News / Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections
Cecil Officials, Attorney General Discuss County’s Proposed Opioid and Addiction Initiatives

Cecil County leadership met with Attorney General Brian Frosh to discuss the county's priorities for collaboration on targeting opioid, methamphetamine, and e-cigarettes. From the Cecil County press release: Central to the discussion were settlement of the opioid litigation currently pending in federal court, mutual advocacy for increased State funding that would increase primary drug and e-cigarette use prevention, treatment for opioid and methamphetamine addiction as an alternative to incarceration, increased sentences for methamphetamine distribution, increased…

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October 18, 2019
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