Read more about the article Mandatory Charter Government, Open Incorporation – Both Stalled Again
County Government and Structure / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works
Mandatory Charter Government, Open Incorporation – Both Stalled Again

Two bills introduced and heard in the House of Delegates dealing with "structure of local government" matters appear to have been passed over for the 2026 session. One would have required all counties to adopt full executive/council charter government, and the other would have removed county review/approval of proposed municipal incorporations. With the "crossover" deadline now behind us, legislation that has not received approval from its original committee appears more likely to be defeated this…

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March 24, 2026
Read more about the article Baltimore City Appoints New Chief Information Officer
County Government and Structure / County News / Information Technology / News You Can Use / Risk Management
Baltimore City Appoints New Chief Information Officer

Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced a new appointment to city leadership. Beginning March 16, 2026, T.J. Mayotte will assume the position of Chief Information Officer. From the press release: "I’m excited to have T.J. join my administration at such an important time for our city, as we continue to invest in digital equity and explore cutting-edge technology solutions to improve service delivery for our residents,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “T.J. is an innovator and a cybersecurity…

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March 12, 2026
Read more about the article MACo: Uphold Longstanding Local Decision on “Home Rule”
County Government and Structure / County News / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony
MACo: Uphold Longstanding Local Decision on “Home Rule”

On March 4, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Government, Labor, and Election Committee in opposition to HB 190 - Constitutional Amendment - Form of County Government - Requirement to Adopt Charter Home Rule. This bill would repeal Maryland’s historic reliance on self-determination by county residents and instead mandate that every county conforms to a single governance structure – a full two-branch charter government. Through the constitutional principle of home rule, residents have chosen…

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March 9, 2026
Read more about the article Frederick County Names New Leaders for Economic Opportunity and Procurement
Business Affairs / County Government and Structure / County News / Economic Development / Finance and Procurement
Frederick County Names New Leaders for Economic Opportunity and Procurement

Frederick County has announced the appointment of Heather Gramm as director of the Division of Economic Opportunity and Jamille Wilson as director of the Office of Procurement and Contracting. The County Council confirmed both appointments on March 3, 2026. From the press release: “Heather Gramm is a trusted and respected leader who has dedicated her career to economic development in Frederick County, across Maryland, and beyond,” County Executive Fitzwater said. “Her deep knowledge of Frederick…

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March 5, 2026
Read more about the article Baltimore Aligns Housing and Planning for Next Phase of Development
County Government and Structure / County News / Economic Development / Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning
Baltimore Aligns Housing and Planning for Next Phase of Development

Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced his intention to nominate Timothy Keane as Commissioner of Baltimore City's Department of Housing and Community Development, Renata "Ren" Southard as Planning Director, and Alice Kennedy as Executive Director of Community Affairs and Engagement in the Mayor's Office, effective March 2, 2026.  From the press release: "Baltimore is becoming a pioneer in housing and community development, literally breaking new ground in our work to overcome a challenge that has plagued…

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February 19, 2026
Read more about the article Financial Snapshot Fiscal Year 2026: Budgets, Tax Rates, and Selected Statistics
County Budgets / County Government and Structure / County News / Finance and Procurement / Taxes and Revenues
Financial Snapshot Fiscal Year 2026: Budgets, Tax Rates, and Selected Statistics

The Fiscal Year 2026 Budgets, Tax Rates, and Selected Statistics (BTRB) is now available on the MACo website. This annual publication offers an overview of tax structures, tax rates, and revenue trends across Maryland. The BTRB provides information on a a wide range of county revenue sources and budget data. The report is organized into detailed sections, each focusing on a key aspect of fiscal operations - from current tax rates and revenues to multi-year…

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January 8, 2026
Read more about the article Worcester County Commissioners Elect New President and Vice President
County Government and Structure / County News / News You Can Use
Worcester County Commissioners Elect New President and Vice President

On December 2, 2025, the Worcester County Commissioners re-elected Commissioner Theodore J. Elder to serve as president and elected Commissioner Madison J. Bunting, Jr. to serve as vice president of the board. Commissioner Elder represents the Western District (District Four), and he is currently serving his third term. He was elected to the Worcester County Board of Commissioners in 2014 and has been serving as president since December 2024. He also served as vice president…

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January 8, 2026
Read more about the article Charles County Commissioners Approve Local Term Limits
County Government and Structure / County News
Charles County Commissioners Approve Local Term Limits

The Charles County Board of County Commissioners voted this week to approve a local bill that sets term limits for commissioners beginning with the term that started in December 2022. The vote followed a public hearing on Proposed Bill 2025-07. Under the bill, a county commissioner may serve no more than two four-year terms. The limit applies whether those terms occur back-to-back or at different times. It also applies to all commissioner roles, including district…

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November 21, 2025
Read more about the article A Seat at the Table: MACo’s 24-County Tour Hits St. Mary’s
County Government and Structure / County News / Economic Development / Education / Emergency Management / Employee Benefits and Relations / Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Information Technology / Planning and Zoning
A Seat at the Table: MACo’s 24-County Tour Hits St. Mary’s

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson...goes solo? Just kidding! He does set the stage, however, for a special recording from St. Mary’s County, where MACo President and Queen Anne’s County Commissioner Jack Wilson joins Michael for a briefing with St. Mary’s County leaders to talk all things local governance.  Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the…

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October 10, 2025
Read more about the article Queen Anne’s Appoints Anne Sparks as Director of Aging and Transportation
County Government and Structure / County News / Health and Human Services / Transportation and Public Works
Queen Anne’s Appoints Anne Sparks as Director of Aging and Transportation

Queen Anne’s County has announced the appointment of Anne Sparks as the new Director of Aging and Transportation. This appointment comes as part of the County’s restructuring of the Department of Community Services into two stand-alone departments: Housing and Family Services, and Aging and Transportation. From the county press release:  “This position ultimately stems from the forward thinking of the County Commissioners who approached the idea of hiring a Chief of Aging a few years…

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October 2, 2025
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