July 2, 2009
Harford County Courthouse
Harford County Courthouse
Diane F. Evartt, photographer. Courtesy of MD Manual On-Line, by the MD State Archives

This Just In

 Urban Greening Grant Program available to local governments. Applications due July 17.


Governor Announces Smart Sites and recognizes county transit oriented development and school projects.
Click here for details


Maryland Freight Summit September 14 at Hilton BWI.

 

Member News

Legislative Affairs 2009

Initiatives
County Impact Bills
Archives

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MACo LogoWhat's Happening?

Calvert

Calvert County hosted the MACo Spring Board Retreat

Board of Directors Meet in Calvert County

June 24-26 . . . The MACo Board of Directors met in Calvert County, home to President and Calvert County Commissioner Wilson Parran, to conduct Association business and discuss legislative priorities. The spring retreat, traditionally held in the MACo Presidents' home county, took place in Solomons Island for the 15-member Board of Directors.

Library
The Library bookshelves have been removed and the paneling has been sheetrocked on the 2nd floor.

MACo Closing August 10-14 for Renovations/Conference

July 1. . . Work is progressing at MACo, where an extensive renovation project began mid-June. The renovation will result in numerous needed systemic renovations and upgrades. The office is expected to remain open during the renovations, except for the week of Summer Conference, August 10-14, when the office will be closed to allow construction crews access to the entire building.

A full sprinkler system is being installed on all three levels, with the internal/external HVAC system also being replaced. The second floor meeting room and restroom facilities will be remodeled and refurnished. The basement will be remodeled to include a more welcoming meeting room, a permanent staff office and a flexible research center. The restrooms on the main floor are also being remodeled for accessibility and functionality.

Conference-related deliveries should be made prior to August 3. Staff may be contacted via email or cell phones during conference week.

More News

Summer Conference:
Program Features Economic Themed Sessions

MACo has developed a conference program this summer that will address the challenges facing county government in these uncertain economic times.

Some of the planned topics include MOE Funding Today and Tomorrow, Gangs: Tracking & Criminal Behavior(Academy Elective), Census 2010: Counting for Dollars (Academy Elective), Consensus and Team Building (Academy Core), Budget Cuts and Employee Morale, Revisiting Priority Funding Areas: What’s Next?, Doing More (Services) With Less (People/Funding), Sustainable Local Agriculture, H1N1 Flu Threat: Easy Rider?, Managing DUIs in Local Facilities, Is There a TMDL In Your Future?, Job Ready Education, Bay Restoration Fund, Health Care & Uncertain Funding, and the Economic Benefits of Parks & Recreation.

Renowned Economist Anirban Basu is the Keynote Speaker on Friday morning and as tradition holds, Governor Martin O'Malley will deliver the closing address on Saturday morning.

The early discount for conference fees ends on July 17. Read the updated conference schedule for details on all conference events.

On Line Registration is open until August 3.

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Academy Website Updated

The website for the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance is currently being updated. When complete, the Academy website will contain Academy related information such as the Schedule of Classes, Enrollment information, and Forms for Enrollment and Tracking. In the meantime, all of this information is available here on the MACo website in the Events section.

Questions about the Academy should be directed to Kathleen Gallagher at the Institute for Governmental Service and Research (IGSR) at the University of Maryland- College Park. Back to Top

Conference of Southern County Associations

The annual Conference of Southern County Associations (CSCA) May 19-22 produced two publications worthy of review. First, the CSCA 2008 Environmental Trends Report contains emerging environmental trends, and identifies implications for small communities and county governments. (Please note: 15-20 minute download time). Secondly, learn what policy and legislative issues are important to the southern state county associations by reviewing the CSCA Issues Survey.

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MACo Logo Courthouse News


April 15 . . . Session Wrap Up - The FY 2010 State budget, HB 100 and HB 101, represents substantial cutbacks in many areas, with local governments among the most hard hit. The shaky state of the national economy foreshadowed a difficult budget, but distributions of federal “stimulus” funds helped to cover the shortfall for the short term.

However, a deep March write-down in State revenues drove policymakers in Annapolis to substantially reduce spending in both FY 2010 and beyond. READ MORE . . .
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Maryland Counties Map

What's New With ARRA?

June 29 - The Office of Management and Budget has issued Guidance documents for use of Recovery monies by local governments.

June 10 . . . Access Fire Station Construction Grant (SCG) applications will be available soon to state and local governments who fund firefighters in their budgets. These funds are to be used to achieve Assistance to Firefighters Grant goals of firefighter safety and improved response capability/capacity based on need through the construction, renovation or modification of fire stations.

June 3 . . . Access the MD Recovery Map to see details of newly awarded State Highway projects including area resurfacing contracts that were awarded May 25.

June 2 . . . The deadline for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program is June 25. The US Department of Energy website EECBG Program contains the details. View allocations direct to Maryland's largest jurisdictions. Maryland will also have $5.74 Million available for non-entitled counties and municipalities funds. The MD Energy Administration will be coordinating the distribution of the funds with MACo and MML.

ARRA Archives

Read our Archives to find all information posted on the MACo Website since February 2009 about the (ARRA) Economic Recovery, with federal, state and local information about grants and funding for local government.

Quick Links

  • ARRA - Federal Recovery Funding website

  • Maryland Recovery Funding website

Good To Know

Physical Education Equipment and Supplies RFP - This RFP was issued by Harford County Public Schools on behalf of U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance and other government agencies. The RFP may also be accessed via Purchasing RFP. Model County Energy Strategy Available

See All Disasters Are Local, an op-ed piece from the New York Times, about how widespread disasters are better handled on the local level.

April 10 . . . From Marketplace a discussion on local governments and the credit market.

Conferences

Summer Conference

Administrators & Attorneys Conference

  • October 28-30, 2009

Winter Conference

  • January 6-8, 2010 - Hyatt Regency Hotel - Cambridge

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