Read more about the article Deep Dive: What Is One Penny on the Property Tax Worth?
County Budgets / County News / Feature / Policy Deep Dive / Taxes and Revenues
Deep Dive: What Is One Penny on the Property Tax Worth?

Maryland counties all levy property taxes, but the same one-cent increase can generate more than $25 million in one jurisdiction and less than $500,000 in another. The difference comes down to the size and makeup of the local property tax base. That gap helps explain why comparing county tax rates alone tells only part of the story. Counties fund many of the same core services, but with very different levels of property tax capacity. A…

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October 7, 2026
Read more about the article Revenue Task Force Weighs School Funding Gaps, New Local Options
NACo compared the mix of county-generated revenues in Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia using 2022 Census finance data.
County Budgets / County News / Education / Feature / General Assembly News / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
Revenue Task Force Weighs School Funding Gaps, New Local Options

Maryland’s Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures focused its October 2 meeting on rising school facility costs and several potential new revenue options for local governments. School construction and maintenance costs dominated the first part of the meeting. IAC outlined nearly $2 billion in annual unmet needs for school maintenance, operations, and capital renewal, along with a separate $1.3 billion gap in State school construction funding over the past two decades. The…

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October 5, 2026
Read more about the article MACo is Hiring a Legislative Fellow – Apply by October 19 (Paid Internship)
County News / Feature
MACo is Hiring a Legislative Fellow – Apply by October 19 (Paid Internship)

The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) is seeking an intern to serve as Policy Fellow during the 2027 Maryland General Assembly Session. This is a paid, hybrid position, offering an opportunity to explore public policy advocacy and learn more about the legislative process in Annapolis. Candidates should apply via LinkedIn by October 19. MACo is the non-profit, non-partisan voice of all 24 Maryland counties promoting effective, efficient government through advocacy, education, and collaboration. The Association…

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September 30, 2026
Read more about the article Winter #MACoCon Registration Isn’t Open Yet – But Here’s How You Can Prepare
Feature / Winter Conference
Winter #MACoCon Registration Isn’t Open Yet – But Here’s How You Can Prepare

MACo's Winter Conference is in high demand, especially as we lead into the first legislative session of a new four-year term. Registration isn't open yet, but here's everything you can do to prepare to register as soon as it's ready. Conference Details: Date: January 6-8, 2027 - with a special pre-conference Newly Elected Officials Orientation for new county officials only (County Executives, County Commissioners, and County Council Members) Location: Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel, Cambridge,…

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September 29, 2026
Read more about the article MACo County Champion Awards – Nominate Extraordinary Public Servants and Innovative Programs by Oct 23
Feature / Winter Conference
MACo County Champion Awards – Nominate Extraordinary Public Servants and Innovative Programs by Oct 23

MACo’s County Champion Award series celebrates innovative county programs and county leaders who demonstrate extraordinary public service. Nominations are due October 23, 2026. Every year, MACo – in partnership with the University of Maryland School of Public Policy and the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance – seeks to celebrate those county leaders and programs making exceptional contributions to Maryland counties. MACo will announce award winners in November and make award presentations at our Winter Conference Awards…

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September 24, 2026
Read more about the article MACo’s Oct 22 Information Technology Conference To Focus on County IT Priorities, Cybersecurity, and Federal Policy Updates
County News / Feature / Information Technology / MACo Events
MACo’s Oct 22 Information Technology Conference To Focus on County IT Priorities, Cybersecurity, and Federal Policy Updates

In addition to MACo’s Summer and Winter Conferences, the Association holds several annual events focusing on specific topics within county service areas. The County Information Technology Conference is scheduled for October 22 and will feature deep-dive content revolving around county tech challenges and priorities. All county and state elected officials and professionals are invited to register for this annual conference hosted by MACo's IT Affiliate, focusing on technology issues and challenges unique to county government.…

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September 22, 2026
Read more about the article County Leaders Push for Revenue Flexibility, Guard Against Cost Shifts
County Budgets / Feature / General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
County Leaders Push for Revenue Flexibility, Guard Against Cost Shifts

County leaders across Maryland called for more local revenue options while delivering an equally clear message: a new authority cannot become another way to shift state costs onto county budgets. The Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures held a public hearing on September 14, giving county executives, council members, commissioners, and fiscal leaders a chance to weigh in as the panel develops recommendations ahead of the 2027 legislative session. The General Assembly…

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September 14, 2026
Read more about the article Interested in Speaking at Winter #MACoCon? Submissions Due Sept 24
Feature / Winter Conference
Interested in Speaking at Winter #MACoCon? Submissions Due Sept 24

MACo's Winter Conference, "Full Steam Ahead," is scheduled for January 6-8, 2027 (with a special pre-conference Newly Elected Officials Orientation on January 5), at the Hyatt in Cambridge, MD. Proposals for topics and sessions are being accepted through September 24, 2026. VIEW THE CALL FOR PROPOSALS Full Steam Ahead With a new four-year term on the horizon, Maryland's county leaders have a unique opportunity to set the course for the years ahead. This conference will…

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September 10, 2026
Read more about the article Local Revenue Task Force Sets Public Hearing: Here’s How To Testify
County Budgets / County News / Feature / General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Local Revenue Task Force Sets Public Hearing: Here’s How To Testify

County governments, local leaders, residents, and other stakeholders have a chance to weigh in directly as Maryland considers the future of local revenue flexibility. The Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures will hold a virtual public hearing on September 14, with registration and written testimony due September 10. The hearing comes as the Task Force examines whether Maryland’s local revenue structure still works for local governments. Counties face growing responsibilities and rising…

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September 2, 2026
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