10/27/2026 CSMC with Maryland Association of Counties

The St. Mary’s County Commissioners’ annual briefing with the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo), held October 27, 2026, focused on issues expected to shape the 2027 Maryland General Assembly session. MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson described a projected state budget shortfall of roughly $2.5 billion, slow revenue growth, and pressure on education, transportation, and other state and local services. He discussed possible impacts on county budgets, including reduced highway-user revenue, continued limits on school-construction funding, and the risk that the state shifts more service costs to counties. No specific county budget allocation or spending action was proposed or approved.

The commissioners and MACo representatives also discussed affordability, electricity costs and data-center siting, housing supply, and concerns that state legislation could limit local land-use authority. Commissioners emphasized the importance of preserving local decision-making and regional workforce-development programs, including apprenticeships and career and technical education; participants noted significant demand for local trade-school programs. The meeting included no procurement activity: no contracts, RFPs, vendor selections, bids, or purchasing decisions were identified, and no spending-related vote or motion was taken.