Looking Ahead on Juvenile Justice in Maryland at #MACoCon

Juvenile crime continues to be a major concern leading into the 2024 legislative session, local and state officials discussed what can be done at #MACoCon.  A panel of local officials came together on the first day of the 2023 MACo Winter Conference to discuss juvenile crime in Maryland. The panel brought together a group of local departments to share their feedback on how implementation of the new policies has gone. Representatives from county law offices,…

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The Long-Term Benefits and Challenges of Short-Term Rentals Discussed at #MACoCon

County leaders at the 2023 MACo Summer Conference explored the good, the bad, and the ugly of short-term rentals for counties. Counties leverage hotel or lodging taxes on traditional hotel stays as a driver of local revenue and economic development. Maryland’s tourism is evolving, however, with a greater share of visitors opting for short-term rentals. The #MACoCon panel "Double-Edged Sword: Do Short-Term Stays Have Long-Term Benefits" explored the multitude of county government considerations around this…

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Public Service Hiring, Retention, and Intergenerational Cohesion Front and Center at #MACoCon

County leaders at the 2023 MACo Summer Conference explored ongoing challenges to hiring and retaining talented county staff and discussed ways to close the public service generational gap. The fast-changing workforce dynamic feels even more tumultuous post-pandemic, with potential employees evaluating workplace options closely. Our public sector continues to struggle to recruit and retain employees – with an old formula of security and benefits sometimes proving to be insufficient to maintain staffing levels. At the…

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Parks Directors Showcase Recreational ROI at #MACoCon

During the MACo Winter Conference panel, Recreational ROI: Beyond Fun and Games, panelists discussed parks’ return on investments.   Parks provide more than just venues for recreation. They are the connective tissues of the community and help foster local culture and identity. Jurisdictions that invest in robust parks departments often have healthier residents, safer communities, cleaner environments, and high home values. Parks are a strategic asset of all communities, beyond more than just their recreational value.…

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Secretaries Flora & Day Talk Housing at #MACoCon

During the MACo Winter Conference panel, Housing – What’s New, What’s Next, DHCD & MD Planning Secretaries discussed housing in Maryland and their priorities over the medium term.  Housing is becoming one of the preeminent issues not only at the national level but also at the state and county levels. MACo has made housing a top four legislative priority for the 2024 legislative session, and it can be expected leaders in Annapolis will do the…

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2024 MACo Leadership Installed at Winter Conference

The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) is pleased to announce the installation of the 2024 Board of Directors and Officers. On Thursday evening, December 7, 2023, the Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, installed the MACo Board of Directors for 2024. The installation took place at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, Maryland, during the MACo Winter Conference Inaugural Banquet. "It is an honor to be elected as President," said Baltimore County Executive John…

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Meet Your Local Management Board on Dec 5 Before #MACoCon

Meet your local management board ahead of MACo's Winter Conference! The Maryland Association of Local Management Boards (LMBs) is hosting a social networking event for county leaders and officials ahead of the 2023 MACo Winter Conference in Cambridge. Local Management Boards are active in all 24 of Maryland’s counties and perform a variety of critical roles to support Maryland children and families. Working closely with county government, there are ample opportunities to partner and better…

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Report: Generative AI Has Several “Significant, Beneficial” Uses for State Governments

According to a new report released by the California Government Operations Agency, Generative Artificial Intelligence has several “significant, beneficial use cases” for state governments, including helping public employees work more efficiently, improving constituent services, enhancing public safety and security, and enabling more data-driven decisions. However, Generative AI could also be inaccurate and unreliable, raising concerns over privacy and oversight. This report on the use of GenAI in state government is the first primary product of…

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1 Way to Navigate Winter #MACoCon…MACo’s Mobile App

MACo’s Winter Conference is just ONE WEEK AWAY! Preview the event and plan your time with our NEW mobile app – thanks to Lead Sponsor Nationwide Retirement Solutions. Instructions for your download: DELETE the old MACo app, if you have it – this one is all new! Access the App Store/Google Play: Search “MACoCon” or click these links: APPLE DOWNLOAD | ANDROID DOWNLOAD Download the FREE app (thanks to Nationwide Retirement Solutions.) Use the same…

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