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Read more about the article Rising Costs, Shrinking Dollars: Counties Confront School Construction Gaps at #MACoCon

Robbie Sandlass

Rising Costs, Shrinking Dollars: Counties Confront School Construction Gaps at #MACoCon

At the MACo Winter Conference, county leaders and education finance experts examined the widening gap between school construction costs and available funding across Maryland. The discussion focused on how inflation, material and labor pressures, and the phaseout of temporary funding sources have left counties carrying more risk as they work to deliver safe, modern classrooms. Queen Anne’s County Commissioner and 2025 MACo President Jack Wilson moderated the session and guided a focused discussion during “The…

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December 16, 2025

County News / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Winter Conference

#MACoCon Recap: County Solutions to Safeguard Local Communities

Counties are using practical tools, from housing coordination to legal support and smarter enforcement, to protect vulnerable residents and strengthen community stability. The "County Solutions to Safeguard Local Communities" panel offered a grounded look at how counties are using their authority, partnerships, and data to protect vulnerable residents and strengthen community stability. Moderated by Senator Antonio Hayes, the panel highlighted county-led strategies to address family instability, housing insecurity, and exploitation, demonstrating how local governments are…

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December 16, 2025

Transportation and Public Works / Winter Conference

#MACoCon Recap: HURs as the Lifeline of Local Roads

At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees learned about the history and role of HURs. From enhancing quality of life to driving economic growth, transportation is key to Maryland’s future. With a projected cut to the local share of Highway User Revenue (HUR) funds, state and county leaders face serious questions heading into the upcoming legislative session. This panel kicked off the conversation about the local importance of HUR and the detrimental impact of cutting the…

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December 16, 2025

Agriculture / Economic Development / Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works / Winter Conference

#MACoCon Recap: Environmental Finance Center’s Rural Offerings

At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees learned about how UMD's Enviro. The Finance Center can help rural counties secure additional resources. MACo’s Rural County Coalition provides a forum for Maryland’s rural counties to share their unique perspective on critical state and federal policy issues. At this meeting, the University of Maryland’s Environmental Finance Center walked through services and opportunities to help rural leaders access grant funding and other resources to better serve their communities. Additionally, rural…

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December 16, 2025

Economic Development / Winter Conference

#MACoCon Recap: A Modern Toolkit for County Economic Development

At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees heard about different county tools to spur economic development. As economic development challenges grow more complex, counties rely on incentives to attract new investment and sustain local businesses. From tax credits and infrastructure grants to strategic partnerships with state and federal programs, understanding which incentives truly move the needle has never been more important. This session, “Incentives That Work: A Modern Toolkit for County Economic Development”, brought together experts…

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December 15, 2025

Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works / Winter Conference

#MACoCon Recap: The Role of Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances

At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees learned about the history and role of APFOs and identified areas for improvement. Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances (APFOs) help counties manage growth by linking new development to the capacity of schools, roads, water, sewer, and other services so infrastructure and taxpayers aren’t overwhelmed. They’ve also become controversial, with critics arguing that strict standards or long delays can be used to block housing, drive up costs, or push growth to…

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December 15, 2025

Transportation and Public Works / Winter Conference

#MACoCon Recap: Understanding MDOT’s “Project Scorecard”

At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees heard about MDOT's proposed changes to its project-scoring criteria for state-funded projects. A common concern, both inside and outside Annapolis, is that the Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) project scoring process lacks clarity. For years, counties have submitted applications with little insight into why some projects are funded while others are not, fueling frustration and offering few lessons for improving future submissions. Over the interim, MDOT has met with…

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December 15, 2025

Energy / Environment / Winter Conference

#MACoCon Recap: What Battery Storage Means for Maryland Counties

At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees heard about the challenges and opportunities related to battery energy storage systems. County governments sit at the intersection of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and local community priorities, with responsibilities that span land-use review, permitting, and coordination with public safety agencies. Storage projects can affect grid reliability and electricity system costs, and they raise important questions around safety standards, emergency response planning, and ongoing operations and maintenance. As the…

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December 15, 2025

Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Winter Conference

#MACoCon Recap: Housing at the Crossroads

At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees participated in a robust conversation on Maryland's housing outlook. County governments play a vital role in shaping the look, smell, and feel of our communities. As the level of government closest to residents, counties have been at the table — working proactively with state leaders and stakeholders to advance practical, locally informed solutions that increase housing production. However, amid a national affordable housing crisis, state-level proposals increasingly favor top-down…

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December 15, 2025

County News / Feature / Winter Conference

2026 MACo Leadership Installed at Winter Conference

The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) is pleased to announce the installation of the 2026 Board of Directors and Officers. On Thursday evening, December 11, 2025, the Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, installed the MACo Board of Directors for 2026. The installation took place at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, Maryland, during the MACo Winter Conference Inaugural Banquet. I am so incredibly humbled and so honored to be able to serve you as…

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December 12, 2025