County Government and Structure Archives

FY 2024 County Employee Salaries, Benefits, and Pensions Report

Comprehensive Report on County Employee Salaries, Benefits, and Pensions: New Data and Insights for FY 2024 Every year, Human Resources Officers from each jurisdiction provides information on salaries, health benefits, and employee retirement plans & pensions. New additions to the survey in FY 2024 are: Average hourly salary Weekly base hours Number of employees on county payroll New pay practices and recruitment/retention efforts Innovative measures implemented to control medical/prescription benefit costs for employees, retirees, and…

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May 28, 2024

County Government and Structure / County News / Economic Development

Dorchester County Welcomes Jerry Jones as County Manager

Dorchester County Government has announced Woodrow “Jerry” Jones III as their new County Manager. Mr. Jones was appointed by the Dorchester County Council and will serve as the lead administrator for all government operations. Mr. Jones will be responsible for leading the administration and functions of all departments, agencies, and offices of the Government, as well as the care and custody of Government buildings and all real property of the County. The Council will rely…

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May 13, 2024

County Government and Structure / General Assembly News / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works

Mandatory Charter, and Open Incorporation, Both Appear Defeated

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 2024 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 21, 2024

County Government and Structure / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works

MACo: Wide-Open Incorporation Would Shake County, State

On March 5, 2024, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the House Environment and Transportation Committee in opposition to HB 1436- Municipal Incorporation - County Commissioners or County Council - Required Approval of Referendum Request. This bill would upend the longstanding, carefully crafted framework that governs municipal incorporation by stripping county governments of proper and necessary input and oversight. Mr. Sanderson discussed the multiple facets of current Maryland law that change if an are were…

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March 6, 2024

County Government and Structure / Elections / MACo Testimony

MACo: Don’t Force Every County into Charter, Let Voters Decide

On February 6, 2024, MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the House Environment and Transportation Committee in opposition to HB 81- Constitutional Amendment- Form of County Government- Requirement to Adopt Charter Home Rule. This bill mandates all counties to conform to a single governance structure- a full two-branch charter government. Mr. Sanderson offered views on the current forms of county government, each of which offer true electoral accountability by the elected officials to their…

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February 7, 2024

County Government and Structure / County News / Feature

Izzy Patoka to Chair Baltimore County Council for 2024

Councilman Izzy Patoka was unanimously elected chairman of the Baltimore County Council at its January 2 meeting. Councilman Israel “Izzy” Patoka will serve as chair of the Baltimore County Council for the 2024 calendar year. Six members of the Council (one was not present) voted unanimously for Patoka to succeed the outgoing chair, Julian Jones, at a January 2 meeting. The Baltimore County Council chairmanship is a one-year position and is typically rotated among members…

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January 4, 2024

County Government and Structure / County News / News You Can Use

Charles County Charter Board to Host Public Hearings

The Charles County Charter Board will host a series of public meetings in each Commissioner district to inform residents about and hear input on its charge to draft and present voters with a Charter to transition Charles County from a Code Home Rule to a Charter form of government. (Click here for MACo's chart describing differences between code home rule, charter, and commissioner forms of local government. It compares bonding authority, tax caps, and compensation,…

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November 6, 2023

County Government and Structure / County News / Economic Development / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Human Resources / News You Can Use

Mayor Scott Appoints Ernestina Simmons to Lead Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services

On Thursday, September 28, 2023, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced that Ernestina Simmons will be appointed as the new Director of the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services. She will take over the role on October 16, 2023. “The Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services provides essential support to our city’s most vulnerable residents and I know Ernestina will be incredibly effective in leading the office into a new era,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “With more than two…

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October 10, 2023

County Government and Structure / County News / Economic Development / Housing and Community Development

Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation Names Key Leadership for Neighborhood Revitalization

The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) announces the appointments of Wesley (“Wes”) MacQuilliam as the organization's first Chief Operating Officer and Kayleigh De La Puente as its first Town Center Revitalization Manager, strengthening the organization’s redevelopment and revitalization toolbox. “AAEDC has supported smart economic development in Anne Arundel County for thirty years, and these moves signal a sustained commitment to ensuring a healthy and vibrant local economy,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “Economic development…

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October 9, 2023

County Government and Structure / County News / Energy / Environment / Leadership / News You Can Use

Sarah Kogel-Smucker is Montgomery County’s New Climate Change Officer

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has announced that Sarah Kogel-Smucker is the new Climate Change Officer. Ms. Kogel-Smucker joins Montgomery County after leading the creation of the climate change division of the District of Columbia’s (DC) Office of the People’s Counsel. Prior to her work in the District, she served as senior counsel for the New York City Law Department’s Environmental Division. In this role, she advocated for the deployment of affordable clean energy initiatives,…

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September 28, 2023