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CommunityForm of government report is online
Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007
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A group of 15 citizens — each St. Mary’s County commissioner appointed three of them — has studied the idea of changing the local form of government.
Nine of the members suggested moving to a charter form of government, which sets up a county council and either an elected county executive or appointed county manager.
Three task force members suggested moving to code home rule, which would give the commissioners expanded legislative authority. Three more suggested keeping the county commissioner form of government.
The complete report by the task force can be found at http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/docs/FOGreport8-07.pdf.
If the commissioners want to proceed down the path to a new form of government, at least four of them must vote to do so. Ultimately, however, voters would decide if any change is made.
If the board wants to move to a charter form of government, a charter-writing task force must be assembled to outline exactly how such a government would function. That charter would then go to referendum, probably in 2012 at the earliest, where it would be accepted or rejected.
