- Home
- Education
- Emergency Management
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Page
- Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 FAQs
- How should municipal elections that are set to occur soon be handled? Can the date be changed?
- New! Governor Hogan issued an Executive Order on March 30 that allows for the suspension of the formal charter amendment process laid out in State law only as it pertains to municipal elections during the state of emergency.
- With regard to providing "notice to the Governor," please send the information to Chris Mincher in the Governor’s Office of Legal Counsel: Christopher.mincher@maryland.gov
- Due to the particular nuances of each municipality it is strongly recommended that a municipal attorney is consulted to help navigate the process for each particular charter.
- New! Governor Hogan issued an Executive Order on March 30 that allows for the suspension of the formal charter amendment process laid out in State law only as it pertains to municipal elections during the state of emergency.
- What should municipalities know about the budgeting process specific to 2020?
- New! A good place to start would be MML’s yearly budget memos: Memo #1 Memo #2
- New! 10 Tips to Stay Financially Organized During the Crisis
- New! If you are subject to the constant yield tax rate procedures, please review this guidance from SDAT.
- As essential employers, what are some issues municipalities should consider?
- New! Take a look at this list compiled from several sources to get a sense of issues to consider when making personnel decisions.
- What are some options for platforms to conduct a virtual meeting?
- While not endorsing any one platform, here are a few that others use.
- Facebook Live, FreeConferenceCall, GoToMeeting, Streamyard, Zoom
- New! Here are some tips to keep your virtual meeting secure.
- How does the Open Meetings Act apply to virtual meetings?
- How should municipalities handle Public Information Act (PIA) requests?
- To the extent practicable, municipal record custodians should make a good faith effort to accommodate PIA requests.
- Understanding the current reality of limited staffing, the Maryland PIA Ombudsman provided recent guidance.
- Is there a contact in the Governor’s office that can help answer questions?
- Former Annapolis Mayor Mike Pantelides is acting a the municipal liaison to the Governor’s office: mike.pantelides@maryland.gov
- Are there resources for businesses affected by the crisis?
- Yes, the Maryland Department of Commerce set up a website that offers assistance for employers, employees, finances, licensing, permitting, and emergency management.
- What does state law allow municipalities to do during a crisis like this?
- In addition to more general authorities, municipalities may establish a health board, impose a quarantine, and seek to reduce introduction of a disease into the community.
- Maryland State Law - Local Government Article, §5-209
- In addition to more general authorities, municipalities may establish a health board, impose a quarantine, and seek to reduce introduction of a disease into the community.