Congratulations to our 2025 Municipal Achievement Award winners. Your innovative programs and dedication to improving the quality of life in Maryland’s municipalities exemplify the very best in municipal service. Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence and for setting a shining example for municipalities everywhere.

• City of Bowie - Citywide Municipal Energy Efficiency Retrofit Initiative representing excellence in Sustainability
• City of Laurel - Laurel Living Newsletter representing excellence in eGovernance
• City of Rockville - ADA Access and Inclusion Program representing excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Town of Somerset - Town Events to Bridge Community/Youth Entrepreneur Market representing excellence in Community Engagement 

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is now accepting applications through November 7, 2025 for the second round of the Transit-Oriented Development Capital Grant and Revolving Loan Fund. $3.75 million is available to local jurisdictions and their development partners to fund projects at State-designated station areas.

For more information, please visit the program website, email [email protected] or attend an upcoming webinar: Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Capital Grant and Revolving Loan Fund  - MDOT.

The fall issue of the National Civic Review explores how communities are confronting democracy’s toughest tests with creativity and resolve. From reimagining how citizens participate in public life to tackling challenges like homelessness, environmental sustainability, and civic trust, contributors share practical insights for making democracy work better for everyone.

This issue highlights how local leadership, innovation, and everyday participation continue to shape a more responsive and resilient democracy. 

Explore the online edition of the Review, made possible through the Maryland Municipal League’s partnership with the National Civic League. Access it here

A recent decision from the Appellate Court of Maryland significantly broadens local governments’ potential liability in employment discrimination and retaliation cases. In Joseph Watts v. Prince George’s County, the Court held that the damage caps under the Local Government Tort Claims Act (LGTCA) do not apply to claims brought under the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act (MFEPA) or local anti-discrimination ordinances.

Background:
A Prince George’s County jury awarded the plaintiff approximately $1.7 million for employment discrimination and retaliation under MFEPA and the County Code. The County sought to reduce the award under the LGTCA cap, and the circuit court lowered the judgment to $400,000. The plaintiff appealed that reduction.

Stormwater is the water that flows off of impervious surfaces, like parking lots, roads and roofs. It can carry bacteria, nutrients, and other pollutants into local waterways. Excess stormwater can lead to flooding and cause damage to infrastructure, private property, and people.

Happy MGW month! November is the time to highlight how municipal government enhances the quality of life of its residents and all Marylanders. 

Please join us in celebrating MGW month by highlighting municipal department heads or department staff every Wednesday on social media. Be sure to use the #MGW or #MGWMonth as you are posting on social media. You may even see your post reposted by MML.

Maryland lawmakers preparing to consider and debate AI regulations are also intrigued by its potential in health care, education, and beyond. Local governments are beginning to turn to AI to boost public services and strengthen public safety. However, like state agencies, they are faced with difficulties regarding data privacy, ethical use, and accountability for automated actions.

Lawmakers from both parties recognize AI's potential, and its risks, from bias to misinformation. A legislative workgroup formed earlier this year is drafting recommendations to protect consumers from AI-related harm in areas such as employment and housing. Policymakers are also examining how AI could assist teachers in lesson planning and help students struggling in key subjects.

If you attended a session at last week's MML Excellence in Leadership Conference and were unable to access PowerPoints and other workshop materials, you can now find them in the MDCommunity file gallery. 

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2027 Greenspace Equity Program grant round. This is a competitive grant program and only proposals that meet program requirements submitted by eligible applicants may be considered for funding.  A complete Greenspace Equity Program FY 2027 Application and Project Agreement with all the necessary accompanying documents must be emailed to [email protected].​  

Looking for strategies to resuscitate vacant storefronts in your community? Recast Cities can help. 

You see the potential everywhere: talented entrepreneurs working from home, creative businesses ready to scale, and a downtown that could be the beating heart of your local economy. Recast Leaders provides a roadmap, expert coaching, and peer support to transform your downtown or neighborhood main street into a thriving destination in just 10 months. Communities that complete Recast Leaders get direct help figuring out what to do and implementing their top projects. For more information, visit https://www.recastcity.com/recastleaders.

The Maryland Office of the Attorney General (OAG) recently issued a memorandum clarifying how state and local law enforcement officers must operate when working alongside federal agencies. The OAG’s “Maryland Law Enforcement Standards When Working with Federal Agents” (October 2025) establishes clear expectations that Maryland officers remain fully bound by state law—even during joint operations or federal task forces. The guidance is intended to help departments avoid conflicts between state and federal standards and maintain community trust. Among other things, the OAG memo outlines what officers must do, may do, and must not do when participating in joint operations, covering areas such as:

• Use-of-force and de-escalation standards;

Feeling a little bit of post-conference blues? Reminisce on moments from LeadershipCon25 by browsing our Photo Gallery for an overview of highlights from the event.

To see the full gallery, head over to MML's Flickr and download some of your favorite moments from the conference!

Applications are now open for National League of Cities (NLC) Federal Advocacy Committees and Member Councils. Join a Federal Advocacy Committee to bring your voice to the national conversation or join a Member Council and connect with municipalities like yours. Applicants must be from an NLC member city, town or village – deadline Tuesday, December 2.

Visit the NLC membership webpage to apply or for additional information. Email the NLC Member Services and Engagement team at [email protected] with questions.

The 2025 Small Business Anti-Displacement Network Conference: Fostering Resilience is convening November 12-14 at The Hotel at the University of Maryland. Come strategize with us about how to foster resilient small businesses and remain resilient in our anti-displacement work. Early-bird registration closes October 15.

You’ll hear how organizations and cities are supporting diverse communities and small businesses in this new economic and political landscape. Our keynotes, panels, and workshops will offer practical tools and timely approaches to supporting BIPOC and immigrant communities and entrepreneurs. Informal networking opportunities will help us reenergize.

The Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in partnership with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center (EFC) and the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA RD), will be hosting a webinar on Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Funding and Technical Assistance on October 16, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. EST. Panelists will include Adriana Caldarelli from MDE, Michelle Kokolis from EFC, and Lisa Fitzgerald from USDA Rural Development.

This collaborative webinar will deliver in-depth presentations from agency experts on securing water infrastructure funding, accessing relevant technical assistance, and reviewing essential guidance for enhancing water infrastructure for resilience, sustainability, and efficiency. Attendees will also be introduced to each organization and gain valuable insights to align their projects with rural eligibility criteria, ensure strategic use of resources, and optimize project outcomes.

Sustainable Maryland is excited to announce the second year of funding for the Sustainable Maryland Action Grants for incorporated municipalities, furthering our commitment to enhance livability for all Marylanders by supporting a wide range of community-scale sustainability efforts.

Funding for this grant program has been made possible by the State of Maryland when it created the Sustainable Maryland Program fund in 2022. By offering $100,000 to municipalities that are registered and certified with Sustainable Maryland, these grants seek to bridge the gap between local budget and resource capacity and state funding.

Sustainable Maryland’s mission is to provide opportunities for Maryland municipalities to continue to thrive and build a better tomorrow. With this grants program, Sustainable Maryland strongly encourages applications from municipalities across the state that seek to protect their natural assets, reduce their carbon footprint, and revitalize and improve the long-term quality of life for current and future generations.

Application due date: November 10, 2025 11:59pm

Awardees announced: early December

Timeline: Projects may begin January 2026 and are expected to be completed January 2027

Details

The League adopted an initiative in 2024 to give back to the local community organizations where our conferences are held. After evaluating several worthy options, the Conference Planning Committee chose The Dove Center located in Oakland, Maryland to be part of MML's 2025 Fall Conference.

The Dove Center provides safety, advocacy, and counseling to individuals whose lives have been shattered by domestic violence and/or sexual assault, and strives to expand public awareness of those issues.

The Maryland Municipal League and the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance would like your feedback on the educational programming provided to Maryland’s local government officials. To that end, we ask that you please take 5-6 minutes to complete a survey to help us better understand how well existing training meets the needs of MML members and what will help prepare Maryland’s city and town officials to lead our communities today and into the future: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AELG2025

Thank you in advance for your insights.  We look forward to using these results to improve the future training opportunities for city and town officials throughout Maryland.  If you have questions or need more information, please contact MML’s Senior Director of Leadership Development Tom Reynolds at [email protected]. 

The Maryland Municipal League's Municipal Achievement Awards are awarded annually to cities and towns that have successfully implemented policies and programs that advance good governance and the well-being of our communities. The Awards will be presented at the 2025 Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference, which will be held October 12-14 at the Wisp Resort in McHenry, Maryland.

Municipalities will be recognized in four areas of governing excellence: