Now Hear This

Join MACo In Calling For A Local Infrastructure Fast Track

Barbara Zektick County News, General Assembly News, News You Can Use, Now Hear This, State Budget and Fiscal Issues, Transportation and Public Works

LIFT4MD logoA perennial MACo initiative, counties have called for the return of their fair share of transportation-sourced revenues to fund their roadwork for years. This year, MACo’s initiative calls for a Local Infrastructure Fast Track – a #LIFT4MD – to bring local governments back their historic 30 percent share of transportation revenues from the State’s Transportation Trust Fund. It also calls for an assessment of the state of local infrastructure in Maryland, and for the State to share any additional federal infrastructure funds with counties and municipalities.

MACo originally planned to seek restoration of highway user revenues to all local governments in 7 years – and that is how Senate Bill 901 looks in its present form. After discussing the topic with a myriad of stakeholders, MACo decided instead to introduce a consensus bill, with terms appealing to not only counties, but municipalities and the Administration. Therefore, House Bill 1569, as introduced, restores highway user revenues to counties and Baltimore City in eight years, and municipalities in two years. MACo is working with Senate Sponsor Nancy King to amend SB 901 to reflect its cross file.

The hearings on MACo’s Local Infrastructure Fast Track for Maryland Act are scheduled for Wednesday, March 7 at 1 pm in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and Friday, March 9 at 1 pm in the House Environment and Transportation and Appropriation Committees.

MACo calls on representatives from all levels of county governments to join us for these hearings to show your support – it’s time to find a way to give local infrastructure a LIFT. 

And, don’t forget to post about your support on social media using the hashtag, #LIFT4MD.

For more information, contact MACo Associate Director Barbara Zektick.

St. Mary’s Earns National Award for FY18 Budget Book

Kevin Kinnally County Budgets, County News, Now Hear This

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has awarded the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County and the Department of Finance with its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the FY2018 Budget Book. This marks the second straight year St. Mary’s County has received the recognition.

According to a press release:

The Department of Finance has continued its efforts to improve the overall design and layout of the information contained in the annual budget book. Those efforts have led to a second award for the publication. The award is reflective of St. Mary’s County’s commitment to meeting the Association’s highest principles of governmental budgeting.

To receive the award, St. Mary’s County had to satisfy national recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The guidelines assess how well the county’s budget serves as:

  • a policy document
  • a financial plan
  • an operations guide
  • a communications device

The budget book was rated proficient in all four categories, along with the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories. “Our team in Finance worked extremely hard in putting the budget book together every year,” said Jeannett Cudmore, Chief Financial Officer. “I’m thrilled and honored to have received the award for a second year. This is another indication of how our department demonstrates teamwork and overall quality performance.”

To view the award-winning document, go to FY18 Approved Budget Book.

You’re Invited: Join Us for Our Weekly Legislative Update Conference Call

Kevin Kinnally County News, Now Hear This, Transportation and Public Works

Every Friday during the legislative session MACo will host a conference call that will update you on the Maryland General Assembly hot topics and bills that affect local governments. Join the conversation at 3:00 pm each week as MACo explores different topics and hosts guest speakers.

This week’s topic (February 3): Transportation

MACo Policy Associate Kevin Kinnally will be joined by MACo Associate Director Barbara Zektick to discuss #LIFT4MD (Local Infrastructure Fast Track for Maryland), a 2017 MACo Legislative Initiative. Call in for an update on Highway User Revenues, local infrastructure funding, and more.

Conference call information: 1.877.850.5007, passcode: 2690043#

We look forward to your participation! Submit your questions in advance by e-mailing Kevin Kinnally.

Now Hear This: The Environment in Focus

Kevin Kinnally County News, Environment, Now Hear This

MACo is now featuring a new way to keep your county knowledge up-to-date in our weekly e-newsletter, This Week on Conduit Street.” Now Hear This” is a weekly segment featuring short and concise audio clips from a wide variety of publications.

This week’s segment features “Focus on the Environment,” an independently produced piece featured on WYPR.

environment-in-focus

Redefining Success in the Chesapeake Bay Cleanup

Tom Pelton Discusses how when it comes to cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay, the definition of success is constantly evolving.

 

 

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