ELKTON â County Executive Danielle Hornberger expressed concerns about state mandates and the COVID-19 pandemicâs impact on the county budget at Thursdayâs annual State of the County Address. âState funding is in such turmoil right now,â Hornberger said. âOverall funding for priorities like education is changing on an almost daily basis.â She said the Relief Act, a law providing direct stimulus payments to Maryland residents, will cost the county $2 million in revenue. Passage of the Kirwan Commissionâs âBlueprint for Marylandâs Future,â she added, will cost county taxpayers $41 million over the next eight years, with mandated local spending increases estimated to begin in 2025.