Winter Conference Archives

Transparency in Action: Navigating Maryland’s Open Meetings Act at #MACoCon

Transparency matters. At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees received an overview of Maryland’s Open Meetings Act law, which guides public officials in the requirements for providing public notice of the meetings that public bodies hold to conduct public business and for closing meetings when appropriate. The Maryland Open Meetings Act is a fundamental statute to promote government transparency, build public trust, and ensure residents have meaningful access to the decision-making process. The Act requires public…

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December 18, 2025

County News / Winter Conference

PFAS – Hidden Chemicals, Real Challenges for Maryland Counties

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called “forever chemicals” or "everywhere chemicals" are emerging as complex environmental and public health challenges facing Maryland counties. Once thought to be confined to industrial sites, these persistent chemicals are now being detected in everyday local spaces—parks, recreational facilities, and community gathering areas where residents live, play, and connect. These challenges were the focus of an informative panel discussion, PFAS in Local Spaces: Hidden Chemicals, Real Challenges, moderated by The…

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December 18, 2025

Summer Conference / Winter Conference

Save the Date for 2026 Summer #MACoCon, “Build What’s Next”

MACo’s Winter Conference just wrapped, and the 2026 General Assembly Session is starting soon, but don’t forget to mark your calendars for MACo’s Summer Conference, “Build What's Next,” on August 12-15, 2026, in Ocean City, Maryland. MACo’s Summer Conference brings together approximately 3,000 leaders from all levels of government and the private sector. With four days of educational sessions, along with 2 exhibit shows (over 350 vendors!), and numerous briefings, meetings, and opportunities to connect…

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December 17, 2025

Feature / Winter Conference

Employment Practices and Legal Considerations

The Academy Course - Employment Issues provided valuable insight into preferred employment practices and the legal restrictions associated with hiring, termination, promotion, and employee discipline. Emphasis was placed on risk management strategies, including recruitment practices, employee supervision, and effective documentation. Mr. Karpinski highlighted the importance of consistency in employment actions, noting supervisors must consider whether their decisions are equitable and uniformly applied across all employees. Speaker: Kevin Karpinski, Partner, Karpinski, Cornbrooks…

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December 17, 2025

Business Affairs / County News / Labor / NACo and Federal Issues / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Winter Conference

#MACoCon Recap: The State of Maryland’s Economy

Maryland’s economy is growing slightly, but mounting uncertainty around affordability, labor, and federal policy is reshaping what that growth really means for counties and communities. At MACo’s Winter Conference, economist Dr. Daraius Irani delivered a sobering but practical economic outlook during “Troubling Trends: The State of Maryland’s Economy,” offering county leaders a clear-eyed assessment of the forces shaping budgets and long-term planning decisions across the state. Amid growing uncertainty, Dr. Irani opened with a national…

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December 17, 2025

County News / Feature / General Assembly News / Winter Conference

“There’s No Money”: State Leaders Preview the 2026 Session at #MACoCon

At the MACo Winter Conference, legislative leaders and administration officials offered a blunt preview of the fiscal landscape facing Maryland heading into the 2026 session. The discussion centered on budget constraints, economic competitiveness, energy costs, and the growing pressure on counties as State decisions ripple outward. Frederick County Council Member and 2026 MACo President MC Keegan-Ayer moderated the General Assembly Forecast session and kept the conversation grounded in the local impacts counties experience first when…

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December 17, 2025

Read more about the article Disaster Readiness Shifts as Counties Question Federal Reliability at #MACoCon

Preeti Emrick

Emergency Management / NACo and Federal Issues / Winter Conference

Disaster Readiness Shifts as Counties Question Federal Reliability at #MACoCon

At the MACo Winter Conference, emergency management leaders across all levels of government examined how growing federal uncertainty is reshaping preparedness planning and forcing counties to rethink long-standing assumptions about disaster readiness and recovery. The session, “Preparedness in Peril — Rethinking Readiness as Federal Stability Falters,” focused on mounting concerns about delayed federal engagement, slower reimbursements, shifting FEMA guidance, and uncertainty about when and how federal support materializes during emergencies. Delegate Dana Jones moderated the…

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December 17, 2025

County News / Health and Human Services / NACo and Federal Issues / Winter Conference

#MACoCon Recap: Counties Protecting Public Health Together

As funding uncertainty and rising health needs converge, county leaders are leaning on trust, coordination, and cross-sector partnerships to protect public health across Maryland. At MACo’s Winter Conference, county leaders and public health partners came together for a timely and candid conversation about what it will take to protect community health in an era of uncertainty. The panel, "Navigating Trust and Collaboration: Counties Protecting Public Health Together", explored how counties can sustain essential public health…

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December 17, 2025

County News / Elections / Winter Conference

Elections Under Pressure: Counties Prepare for 2026 at #MACoCon

At the MACo Winter Conference, state and county leaders examined the growing strain on local election systems as Maryland heads into the 2026 cycle. The discussion acknowledged Maryland’s strong track record on voter access and election security, while focusing on the operational pressure counties and local boards of elections face to maintain that standard year after year. State Senator Cheryl Kagan, Vice Chair of the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, which oversees election…

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December 16, 2025

County News / Information Technology / Winter Conference

AI in Government: From Promise To Practice at #MACoCon

As artificial intelligence moves from buzzword to backbone, counties are learning how to apply AI in ways that improve services and earn public trust. The "AI in Government: From Promise to Practice" session brought a standing-room-only crowd to MACo’s Winter Conference for a grounded discussion on how counties are moving artificial intelligence from concept to day-to-day operations, and doing so responsibly. Moderated by Washington County Commissioner President John Barr, the session centered on practical applications…

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December 16, 2025