Talk of the County Podcast | Interview with Stacy Rogers, President-Elect of NFBPA

Franklin County Media 1 2 Talk of the County Podcast | Interview with Stacy Rogers, President-Elect of NFBPA We welcome Stacy Rogers, the Chief Administrative Officer for Baltimore County, Maryland, and President-Elect of the National Forum of Black Public Administrators (NFBPA). Host Kenneth Wilson engages Stacy in a comprehensive discussion covering a wide range of topics, from regional collaboration and securing federal funding to the challenges and priorities of the Baltimore County government. Stacy Rogers highlights the critical role of strategic regional collaboration in accessing federal resources for transportation, water, and sewer issues. She emphasizes the need for partnerships and concerted efforts to address these infrastructural challenges. Additionally, she discusses the successful initiatives in Baltimore County to secure federal funding for digital equity, particularly through partnerships with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).Kenneth Wilson underscores the importance of affordable connectivity programs and introduces the upcoming NFBPA conference, indicating the podcast's commitment to promoting relevant events and initiatives within the public administration sphere. This sets the stage for Stacy's discussion of her upcoming role as NFBPA president and the organization's dedication to mentorship and leadership development programs.Ken and Stacy talk about the importance of mentorship for African American leaders and the promotion of public administration as a profession, particularly within HBCUs and higher education in general. This focus on mentorship and leadership development underscores the podcast's commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the field of public administration.The episode provides an insightful look into Baltimore County, the third largest jurisdiction in Maryland, with a population of 850,000 residents. Stacy notes that the county operates under a charter government and has an annual operating budget of $4.4 billion, employing nearly 10,000 workers. The budget reflects the county's priorities, allocating 48% to the school system and significant portions to public safety, emphasizing the commitment to education and public safety within the community.The discussion also sheds light on the county administration's efforts to prioritize community engagement in the budgeting process. This entails conducting budget town halls in various jurisdictions and utilizing response polls to align budget priorities with community needs. Additionally, the administration has implemented a county-wide strategic plan focusing on community, accountability, sustainability, ethics, and workforce development, showcasing a proactive approach to governance and planning.The challenges of the "great resignation" and the increasing demand for work-life balance within the government workforce are also explored. The impact of these factors, particularly in competing with the federal workforce and navigating teleworking options, presents a complex landscape for the county administration.Moving beyond the county level, they talk about the potential for regional collaboration within the DMV area (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia) on issues such as natural disasters, sustainability, and renewable energy. The recognition of the collective regional impact and the need for collaborative solutions underscores the podcast's commitment to addressing broader societal challenges.Stacy Rogers also shares insights into the versatility of a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and the significance of understanding law in government work. She emphasizes the importance of legislative references, codes, and state laws that exist in government planning and operations, offering valuable advice to aspiring public administrators.Memorable Moments00:00 Baltimore County: 3rd largest in Maryland, $4.4B budget, 10,000 employees.04:59 Prior admin faced budget testimony limitations, but we expanded community input through town halls and polls, aligning budget goals with public priorities and implementing a prize-wide strategic plan based on community, accountability, and sustainability.08:09 Focus on flexible teleworking for the intergenerational workforce.11:58 Seek federal resources and tackle regional issues proactively.15:13 NTIA funding supports digital access in Maryland.24:32 MPA offers versatile skills with a strong foundation.Top Takeaways1. Strategic Regional Collaboration: The importance of collaboration between jurisdictions to access federal resources for transportation, water, and sewer issues, with a focus on the DMV area's collective impact.2. Federal Funding for Digital Equity: Successful efforts in securing federal funding for digital equity initiatives in Baltimore County and partnerships with historically black colleges and universities.3. NFBPA Conference and Leadership Programs: Importance of affordable connectivity programs and the upcoming NFBPA conference, along with the emphasis on mentorship and leadership development programs within the organization.4. Budget Allocation and Community Engagement: Baltimore County's budget priorities allocate 48% to the school system and a significant portion to public safety. The administration's focus is on community engagement in the budgeting process and strategic planning.5. Workforce Challenges: The impact of the "great resignation" and increasing work-life balance demands on the government's workforce, particularly in competing with the federal workforce and navigating teleworking options.6. Regional Collaboration Opportunities: The potential for regional collaboration in the DMV area on issues like natural disasters, sustainability, and renewable energy.7. Importance of MPA and Legal Knowledge: The versatility of a Master of Public Administration degree and the significance of understanding law in government work, including legislative references, codes, and state laws in government planning and operations.8. Stacy Rogers' Role as CAO: Recognition of Stacy Rogers as a central figure managing a multibillion-dollar budget in her role as Chief Administrative Officer for Baltimore County.Stacy Rogers serves as the County Administrative Officer for Baltimore County, the third largest jurisdiction in Maryland with 850,000 residents. In her role, she is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the county government, as defined in their charter. One of her main responsibilities is annually developing and presenting the operating budget, which is a substantial $4.4 billion, to the County Executive for consideration and submission to the County Council. With a workforce of nearly 10,000 employees, Stacy plays a crucial role in ensuring the efficient functioning of the local [email protected] from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/tropicanaLicense code: 6VVAVEFBZTQOL3AWCopyright 2026 Franklin County Board of Commissioners