Read more about the article State Awards $600K for Flood Reduction Projects Across Maryland
County Budgets / County News / Environment / Risk Management
State Awards $600K for Flood Reduction Projects Across Maryland

Maryland has awarded $690,000 in competitive grants to support nine flood reduction and restoration projects aimed at helping local communities better prepare for flooding, erosion, and severe weather. The funding, announced by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will support planning and design work for projects across seven counties and reflects the state’s continued investment in resilience and flood mitigation. The grants are funded through Maryland’s Resilience Through Restoration Initiative and the National Oceanic…

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June 16, 2026
Read more about the article Conduit Street Podcast: Different States, Similar County Challenges
County Budgets / County Government and Structure / County News / Economic Development / Education / Energy / Housing and Community Development / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Conduit Street Podcast: Different States, Similar County Challenges

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Dominic Butchko and Kevin Kinnally record from the Conference of Southern County Associations (CSCA) in Williamsburg, Virginia, joined by county leaders and policy experts from across the South for a discussion on the issues shaping local government today. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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June 12, 2026
Read more about the article Rural Maryland Council Seeks Input on Community Needs and Priorities
Agriculture / Broadband / County News / Economic Development / Environment / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development
Rural Maryland Council Seeks Input on Community Needs and Priorities

The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) invites residents, business owners, community leaders, and other stakeholders to participate in a survey to help shape future investments and policy priorities for rural communities across the state. The survey, which takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, will help inform RMC's legislative advocacy efforts, program priorities, and future funding decisions. Feedback will also support planning for the Rural Maryland Capacity Building Fund and two key grant programs: the Maryland Agricultural…

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June 11, 2026
Read more about the article Anne Arundel Approves Budget with Record School Funding, Lower Property Tax Rate
County Budgets / County News
Anne Arundel Approves Budget with Record School Funding, Lower Property Tax Rate

The Anne Arundel County Council unanimously approved the county’s fiscal 2027 budget this week, advancing a spending plan that increases education funding, expands public safety staffing, invests in health and human services programs, and lowers the county property tax rate. County Executive Steuart Pittman introduced the budget in May. The adopted plan marks his final budget as county executive. Education accounts for one of the largest investments in the budget. Anne Arundel County Public Schools…

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June 11, 2026
Read more about the article Free Technical Assistance for Water Infrastructure Projects Available for Counties
County News / Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
Free Technical Assistance for Water Infrastructure Projects Available for Counties

Counties, municipalities, and water utilities seeking funding for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects may be eligible for free technical assistance through the Region 3 Real Water Technical Assistance (RealWaterTA) program. Coordinated by the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the program helps communities identify, pursue, and manage funding for water infrastructure projects. Assistance is available throughout EPA Region 3, which includes Maryland, and is provided at…

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June 11, 2026
Read more about the article State Board of Elections Approves Mail-In Ballot Counting Guidance
County News / Elections / News You Can Use
State Board of Elections Approves Mail-In Ballot Counting Guidance

The Maryland State Board of Elections this week approved public guidance explaining how local election boards will handle original and replacement mail-in ballots during the 2026 gubernatorial primary election. The guidance follows the mailing of more than 437,000 replacement ballots after election officials discovered that some voters may have received ballots associated with the wrong political party. Because election officials could not determine precisely which voters received incorrect ballots, the State sent replacement ballots to…

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June 10, 2026
Read more about the article Feds Propose Changes to Grant Rules Affecting Counties
County News / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
Feds Propose Changes to Grant Rules Affecting Counties

The rules governing how counties administer federal grants may be headed for a major update.  The US Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has released a proposed rule that would significantly revise the federal government's Uniform Guidance regulations governing grants and cooperative agreements. According to a NACo article, the proposal represents the most substantial overhaul of federal grant rules since the Uniform Guidance was first established in 2013. The Uniform Guidance establishes the administrative requirements,…

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June 9, 2026
Read more about the article Prince George’s Council Looks to Boost Agritourism Through New Pilot Program
Agriculture / County News / Economic Development
Prince George’s Council Looks to Boost Agritourism Through New Pilot Program

The Prince George’s County Council is advancing a new effort to promote local wineries, farms, and agritourism destinations through targeted marketing, partnerships, and tourism initiatives. The County Council’s Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee this week advanced two resolutions that would encourage greater coordination among agricultural, tourism, conservation, and economic development organizations while launching a new Prince George’s County Agritourism and Winery Promotion Pilot Program. The initiative, introduced by Council Members Tom Dernoga and Wala…

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June 9, 2026
Read more about the article The Briefing Room Ep 5: The Annapolis Energy Agenda
County News / Economic Development / Energy / Environment / Feature / Intergovernmental Relations
The Briefing Room Ep 5: The Annapolis Energy Agenda

In the final episode of The Briefing Room energy series, host Dom Butchko turns the conversation to Annapolis and the broader policy choices shaping Maryland’s energy future.   Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!  

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June 9, 2026
Read more about the article Worcester County Budget Maintains Tax Rates, Boosts School, and Public Safety Funding
County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Education / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Public Safety and Corrections / School Construction and Capital Budgets / Taxes and Revenues
Worcester County Budget Maintains Tax Rates, Boosts School, and Public Safety Funding

Worcester County has approved its Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget, maintaining both its property tax and local income tax rates while increasing investments in education, public safety, employee compensation, and county reserves. The approved $300.2 million spending plan keeps the County's property tax rate at 81.5 cents per $100 of assessed value and maintains its local income tax rate at 2.25%, which County officials note remains among the lowest in Maryland. County leaders described the…

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June 4, 2026
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