Read more about the article Howard Launches Task Force on Disability Inclusion and Crisis Response
County News / Emergency Management / Health and Human Services / Intergovernmental Relations / News You Can Use / Risk Management
Howard Launches Task Force on Disability Inclusion and Crisis Response

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has announced a new cross-agency task force to evaluate how local government responds to crises involving people with disabilities and neurodivergences. Established through Executive Order 2026-08, the Task Force on Disability Inclusion, Safety, and Crisis Response will review current policies, procedures, and coordination efforts related to behavioral health emergencies, emergency communications, and frontline response systems. The effort reflects growing nationwide conversations about how local governments train and equip emergency responders…

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May 28, 2026
Read more about the article Baltimore County Social Services Department Earns National Reaccreditation
County News / Health and Human Services / News You Can Use
Baltimore County Social Services Department Earns National Reaccreditation

The Baltimore County Department of Social Services (DSS) has achieved reaccreditation through the Council on Accreditation (COA), reaffirming the department’s compliance with nationally recognized standards for service delivery, organizational management, and accountability. Baltimore County DSS has maintained continuous accreditation since first earning the designation in 1976. The reaccreditation process takes place every four years and includes an extensive review of administration, operations, workforce practices, and service delivery standards. Notably, Baltimore County DSS is one of…

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May 28, 2026
Read more about the article New Report Confirms What Counties Already Know: The Next Infrastructure Problem Is Already Here
County Budgets / News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Transportation and Public Works
New Report Confirms What Counties Already Know: The Next Infrastructure Problem Is Already Here

A new national report suggests local governments may face another long-term fiscal challenge that rarely appears in budget headlines: the growing cost of replacing aging public assets already in service. A recent analysis from Merritt Research Services estimates that US cities carry more than $1 trillion in infrastructure and capital asset obligations tied to aging roads, buildings, equipment, and other public assets. The report attempts to measure the replacement cost of assets that continue operating…

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May 26, 2026
Read more about the article Frederick Pollinator Initiative Connects Sustainability Goals With Local Land Stewardship
Agriculture / County News / Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / News You Can Use
Frederick Pollinator Initiative Connects Sustainability Goals With Local Land Stewardship

Frederick County and the City of Frederick have officially earned the Bee City USA designation, joining a national network of communities that use local policies and land management practices to support pollinator health and ecological sustainability. While the designation focuses on pollinator protection, local officials say the effort also connects to broader conversations around land stewardship, habitat management, sustainability planning, and environmental resilience. Bee City USA affiliates commit to supporting pollinator-friendly practices through local government…

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May 22, 2026
Read more about the article State Initiative Targets Eastern Shore Climate Resilience Through Nature-Based Projects
A low marsh in Dorchester County. DNR photo
County News / Environment / News You Can Use
State Initiative Targets Eastern Shore Climate Resilience Through Nature-Based Projects

A new statewide initiative aims to help Eastern Shore communities adapt to growing climate pressures through investments in wetlands, forests, living shorelines, and other nature-based resilience projects. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently launched “Roots for Resilience: Strong Roots for a Changing Landscape,” a climate adaptation initiative supported by $42.5 million in federal funding focused on strengthening vulnerable Eastern Shore ecosystems and communities. From the press release: “Roots for Resilience will be a…

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May 21, 2026
Read more about the article State Grant Program Supports Buprenorphine Training for County EMS Personnel
County News / Education / Health and Human Services / News You Can Use
State Grant Program Supports Buprenorphine Training for County EMS Personnel

Maryland counties may be eligible for up to $10,000 in state grant funding to support paramedic training on buprenorphine administration, as state and local officials continue to expand overdose response and treatment efforts statewide. The funding opportunity, offered through Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response (MOOR), is part of the state’s ongoing strategy to strengthen local overdose response systems and improve access to treatment for opioid use disorder. For counties, the grant represents another example of…

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May 21, 2026
Read more about the article MD Authorizes Cash Transaction Rounding Amid Penny Shortage
Business Affairs / County News / Finance and Procurement / News You Can Use
MD Authorizes Cash Transaction Rounding Amid Penny Shortage

Maryland businesses can now round specified cash transactions to the nearest five cents following legislation responding to the growing national penny shortage. The change follows the US Treasury’s November 2025 decision to stop producing new pennies for circulation, creating increasing difficulty for businesses trying to provide exact change during cash transactions. While pennies remain legal tender and continue circulating through the Federal Reserve system, the shortage prompted lawmakers to authorize limited rounding flexibility for merchants…

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May 14, 2026
Read more about the article Kent County Names New Chief Financial Officer
County News / News You Can Use
Kent County Names New Chief Financial Officer

This week, the Kent County Commissioners named Robert (Bob) W. Gast, Jr. as the County’s new Chief Financial Officer. Gast brings more than 35 years of financial leadership experience across nonprofit, corporate, government-related, and international organizations. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President and CFO for the United States Naval Academy Foundation & Alumni Association, where he led financial reporting modernization efforts, reorganized treasury operations, oversaw five consecutive clean audits, and completed a new…

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May 14, 2026
Read more about the article Frederick Seeks Input on Draft Historic Preservation Plan
County News / News You Can Use
Frederick Seeks Input on Draft Historic Preservation Plan

Frederick County is inviting residents and stakeholders to review and provide feedback on its draft Historic Preservation Plan, a long-range framework that guides how the County identifies, protects, and manages historic and cultural resources. Public comments are being accepted through June 2, 2026. Balancing Preservation and Growth The plan is designed to serve as a functional planning document, helping the County integrate historic preservation into broader land use and development decisions. In addition to protecting…

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May 7, 2026
Read more about the article New Mobile App Gives Voters Direct Access to Election Information
Elections / News You Can Use
New Mobile App Gives Voters Direct Access to Election Information

The Maryland State Board of Elections announced the launch of its voter resource phone app, Go Vote Maryland. Researchers and students from the Empowering Secure Elections research lab at Towson University and the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement at the University of Maryland developed the app in partnership with the Maryland State Board of Elections. The free app is now available for download on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The app…

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May 6, 2026
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