Circuit Rider Town Managers
MRDC supports 16 Towns with Circuit Rider Town Managers (CRTMs), representing nearly half of all Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Circuit Riders in the State of Maryland. The CRTMs provide administrative and management support to small, rural, incorporated Towns, with populations ranging from less than 100 to 2000 or more. CRTMS are responsible for a variety of roles that depend on the Towns’ needs. In some towns, the CRTM is the only non-elected person serving the Town and in others, the CRTM augments the Town’s staff. CRTMs may prepare reports and correspondence required by the State, such as providing information on the number of building permits issued or funds spent on road improvements. CRTMs are often called upon to draft the Town’s budget. This may require research and analysis to identify and quantify annual revenues and expenses. Ordinances and Resolutions are the laws and policies of every small Town and the Circuit Rider is often a key drafter of many of the Towns adopted legislation. CRTMs may seek out, complete applications, and manage grants to improve the Town’s infrastructure and quality of life for the residents. CRTMs also write newsletters and facilitate meetings. The CRTM job requires a variety of skills—public administration, strategic planning, financial management, communications, grant writing and organizational management, one or more to be called upon to support the goals and objectives of the Towns’ elected officials.