County News Archives

Baltimore County Weighs Critical Area Protections for Energy Storage Facilities

Baltimore County is considering new landscaping requirements for energy storage facilities near the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. The proposal would add another local standard as counties continue siting large energy projects. Bill 106-26 would require an energy storage device located adjacent to or within the Critical Area to include a berm with dense landscaping tall enough at planting to screen the building from view. Baltimore County already requires landscaping buffers when data centers or energy…

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October 15, 2026

County News / Health and Human Services

MD Awards $16.4 M To Strengthen Rural Health Care Workforce

Maryland is investing $16.4 million in workforce development initiatives to address health care staffing shortages across the state’s 18 designated rural regions. Announced in a press release from the Office of Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland Department of Labor, the grants are part of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) and will support projects designed to expand training, recruitment, and retention of health care professionals. From the press release: This initiative will help Maryland’s…

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October 15, 2026

County News / Emergency Management / News You Can Use / Public Safety and Corrections / Risk Management

Anne Arundel Secures Nearly $5M in Federal Funding for Firefighter Staffing

Anne Arundel County received a $4.97 million federal grant to support 26 additional EMT/firefighter positions over three years, expanding emergency response staffing and advancing the County's long-term service planning. The funding comes through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program, which helps fire departments increase or maintain the number of trained frontline firefighters serving their communities. The 26 additional positions will support the Anne Arundel County…

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October 14, 2026

Read more about the article Baltimore County Streamlines Development Review, Expands Online Records Access

Rain drops rippling in a puddle

Agriculture / County News / Environment / Information Technology / News You Can Use / Risk Management

Baltimore County Streamlines Development Review, Expands Online Records Access

Baltimore County has launched a new online groundwater records portal and standardized stormwater requirements for certain agricultural projects, expanding efforts to simplify regulatory processes and improve access to county services. The improvements are part of Baltimore County Builds, an ongoing initiative to make development, permitting, and regulatory processes more efficient and easier to navigate for residents, businesses, and property owners. The County's new Ground Water Management Records Portal provides 24/7 access to public records…

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October 14, 2026

County News / Environment / News You Can Use

Frederick County Secures New Funding To Expand Reforestation Program

Frederick County is expanding its Creek ReLeaf reforestation program with more than $1.5 million in new state and federal grants, supporting efforts to convert eligible land into permanently protected forests. Frederick County's Creek ReLeaf program is accepting applications from landowners who want to convert open or underused land into permanent forests. Eligible property owners with at least two contiguous acres may receive up to $9,000 per acre, along with five years of professional forest maintenance…

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October 8, 2026

County News / Parks and Recreation

Baltimore City’s Recreation & Parks Investments Earn National Recognition

Baltimore City Recreation & Parks has earned its first National Gold Medal Grand Plaque, recognizing the department's work in parks management, recreation services, and long-term planning. Baltimore City Recreation & Parks has received the 2026 National Gold Medal Award Program Grand Plaque, marking the department's first national distinction. Presented by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the award recognizes excellence in long-range…

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October 8, 2026

County News / Housing and Community Development / Information Technology / Planning and Zoning

Baltimore County Launches Toolkit To Support Community-Led Revitalization

Baltimore County has launched a new resource to help community organizations navigate planning, permitting, and other steps involved in improving public spaces and strengthening neighborhoods. The Baltimore County Department of Planning has introduced a new Placemaking Toolkit designed to help residents, neighborhood associations, Main Street groups, and other community organizations turn ideas for public spaces into projects. The toolkit provides step-by-step guidance on navigating permitting requirements, selecting project sites, engaging residents, and hiring artists or…

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October 8, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Health and Human Services / Human Resources

Prescription Drug Affordability Board Moves Forward With New Savings

Maryland’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) is moving forward with efforts to reduce prescription drug costs, with new savings expected for state and local governments. As a Maryland Matters op-ed by Vinny DeMarco, President of the Maryland Health Care for All Coalition, explains, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board was created in 2019 as the first board of its kind and is tasked with identifying and addressing high prescription drug costs. This year, the Board established…

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October 8, 2026

County News

Dominic Butchko Marks 5Y Anniversary With MACo Policy Team

MACo's Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko recently marked five years of service as part of the MACo policy team. MACo is pleased to celebrate the five year work anniversary of Mr. Butchko, who joined the MACo staff in 2021. He has covered a policy portfolio including land use, housing, and environmental issues; transportation and public works; and parks & recreation topics. He covers these topics as part of the MACo policy team, along with…

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October 8, 2026

County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor

You’ve Decided on a Plan for FAMLI. Now What?

With counties now deciding whether to participate in Maryland’s FAMLI State Plan or pursue an Equivalent Private Insurance Plan (EPIP), the next question is: what happens next? Employers choosing the State Plan should prepare for payroll contributions beginning in January of 2027. Employers collecting employee contributions must provide notice to employees one pay period before deductions begin. Counties, as public employers, should also ensure they are registered with FAMLI and have identified staff responsible for…

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October 8, 2026