Comptroller Lierman and Staff to Attend Maryland Association of Counties Summer Conference in Ocean City August 16 to 19
Agency leadership featured in discussions on artificial intelligence, cannabis reform, county budgets, and organizational equity
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (August 16, 2023) - Comptroller Brooke Lierman will stop by meetings and panels throughout the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) summer conference Wednesday, August 16, to Saturday, August 19, in Ocean City. She will be joined by several senior leaders from the Office of the Comptroller who will give presentations at the Roland Powell Convention Center.
Staffers speaking include Chief Information Officer Rob O’Connor who will discuss “The Robots Are Coming: AI Through the County Lens” at 10 a.m. Wednesday; Director of Revenue Administration Division Rob Scheerer at 9 a.m. Friday discussing “Adult-Use Cannabis: Taxes, Zoning, and Safety - Oh My; Chief Deputy Comptroller Andrew Schaufele at 1 p.m. Friday, discussing “Buckle Up: Turbulent Times for County Budgets”; and Chief Equity and Transformation Officer Dr. Kai Boggess-de Bruin at 2:15 p.m. Friday discussing “Bridging the Gap: Reaching Your Residents.”
The Comptroller also will be talking with constituents and encouraging them to stop by the Comptroller’s Office booth to talk with staff with specific questions and to pick up information materials about what the agency does and how it can help them with their taxes.
COMPTROLLER LIERMAN TO STOP BY THESE EVENTS:
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2023
8 a.m.
Large County Coalition Meeting and Breakfast, Room 17
Moderator: Prince George’s County Councilmember Mel Franklin
8:30 a.m.
Rural County Coalition Meeting and Breakfast, Room 215
Speaker: Tom Barkin, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Moderator: Queen Anne’s County Commissioner Jack Wilson
4:30 p.m.
Taste of Maryland Reception, Exhibit Hall C
Gathering to sample Maryland’s local food and beverages bounty. There will be wine, cheese and more featured from Maryland vendors to celebrate the state’s tourism industry.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 2023
11:45 a.m.
Women of MACo Luncheon, Room 217
Speaker: Maryland House of Delegates Speaker Adrienne Jones
Moderator: Frederick County Council Member MC Keegan-Ayer
1 p.m.
Boardwalk Tour with Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan
Comptroller to tour small businesses with Mayor Rick Meehan to promote the Ocean City boardwalk as well as Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week, which runs through Saturday, August 19. The tour will begin at the Kite Loft at 511 Boardwalk, Ocean City, MD 21842.
5 p.m.
Crab Feast
South Parking Lot
A highlight of MACo’s conference, this is an all-you-can-eat steamed blue crab and picnic fare buffet. There will be band for this family-friendly event for young and old alike.
STAFF APPEARANCES:
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2023
10 a.m.
Deep Dive Session, Room 215
The Robots Are Coming: AI Through the County Lens
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to create significant opportunities for government transformation, enabling greater efficiency while improving the accuracy and effectiveness of decision-making and service delivery. But it also poses some ethical dilemmas and raises concerns about bias, security, transparency, and more. This session offers insights and expert guidance on the future direction of technology, best practices to define and validate government IT strategies, and tips for mitigating risk without inhibiting innovation.
Speakers:
Robert O'Connor, CIO, Maryland Office of the Comptroller
Dave Mahoney, Director, Security Privacy and Risk Consulting RSM
Ben Yelin, Program Director, University of Maryland CHHS
Mark Ripper, Director, Dept. of Technology Services, Carroll County
Moderator: State Senator Katie Fry Hester, 9th District, Howard and Montgomery counties
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 2023
9 a.m.
Adult-Use Cannabis: Taxes, Zoning, and Safety - Oh My, PAC
After nearly two-thirds of Maryland voters approved a referendum to legalize adult-use cannabis, the General Assembly passed sweeping legislation to govern oversight, licensure, taxation, and social equity issues. However, many questions remain about the burgeoning industry. Ambiguous restrictions on local zoning, incommensurate revenue sharing, human resources considerations, public health, and public safety are all top of mind for county governments. In this session, learn best practices for navigating the fast-changing political, social, and regulatory landscape of adult-use cannabis.
Speakers:
Roscoe Leslie, County Attorney, Worcester County
William Tilburg, Acting Director, Maryland Cannabis Administration
Rob Scheerer, Director, Revenue Administration Division, Maryland Office of the Comptroller
Zachary O'Lare, Operations Commander, Bureau of Investigation, Prince George's County Police Department
Moderator: The Honorable Melony Griffith, Maryland State Senate
1 p.m.
Buckle Up: Turbulent Times for County Budgets, Room 204
Hosted by MACo's Budget & Finance Officers Affiliate Rising costs, sluggish growth, unfunded mandates, and greater demand for services all signal turbulent times ahead for county government budgets. Economic instability, shifting demographics, and funding the ambitious, multi-billion-dollar overhaul of Maryland's education system exacerbate the ballooning pressure. In this session, panelists will share best practices for planning, budgeting, and managing session, panelists will share best practices for planning, budgeting, and managing expectations and discuss strategies for how counties can best prepare for future fiscal uncertainties.
Speakers:
Andrew Schaufele, Chief Deputy Comptroller, Maryland Office of the Comptroller
Chris Trumbauer, Budget Officer/Senior Advisor, Anne Arundel County
Ted Zaleski III, Director of Management & Budget, Carroll County
Rachel Hise, Executive Director, Accountability & Implementation Board
Moderator: Helene Grady, Secretary, Maryland Department of Budget and Management
2:15 p.m.
Bridging the Gap: Reaching Your Residents, Room 204
Sponsored by AWS Whether providing safe and fun playgrounds or responding to emergency situations, counties serve diverse communities with a range of abilities and needs and must communicate effectively with all community members. Often, counties are sharing critical and time-sensitive information – the effectiveness of which has real-life consequences. In addition, technological innovations and strategic messaging allow governments to reach more people effectively. This panel will touch on state-of-the-art resources and best practices to reach ALL constituents, including those with different abilities and those who are not native English speakers.
Speakers:
Paul Magness, Director, Department of Parks and Recreation, Harford County
Ra'Mona Brown-Carter, Human Relations Program Manager and DEI Training Supervisor, Baltimore County
Kai Boggess-de Bruin, Chief Equity and Transformation Officer, Maryland Office of the Comptroller
Moderator: The Honorable Jheanelle Wilkins, Maryland House of Delegates
MEDIA CONTACTS: Adam Abadir: AAbadir@marylandtaxes.gov
667-408-0768 (cell)
Barbara Sauers: bsauers@marylandtaxes.gov
410-212-9414 (cell)
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