Prince Frederick, MD – The Calvert County Commissioners will discuss an outline of 10 specific goals for its term during their Tuesday, March 3 meeting.
One of items on the list could lead to legislation that will impact the composition of future commissioner boards—term limits.
Currently, five of Maryland’s jurisdictions have term limits for their commissioners or councilmembers. The counties with limits include nearby St. Mary’s, Anne Arundel and Prince George’s.
A synopsis of talking points for the discussion states that county officials intend to have specifics of the commissioners’ term limits proposal ready for presentation to the state legislature by this fall.
“It originated from a majority of board members who want to look into the manner in which other counties have done this,” Calvert Commissioners’ President Steven R. Weems [R-At Large] (pictured) stated. “It was broached during the campaign.”
Weems conceded that incumbency often creates “a culture of apathy” among potential board candidates who view an individual commissioner’s entrenchment as an insurmountable obstacle to winning an election.
“I’m not a fan [of term limits],” said Commissioner Mike Hart [R-First District], who is a few months into the start of his tenure on the board. Hart defeated then-incumbent Jerry Clark in last year’s Republican Primary. Clark was seeking a fourth-consecutive four-year term. Hart said since becoming a county commissioner his phone rings all the time as constituents bring him their concerns. “It’s a fulltime job,” said Hart, who opined unless someone is retired or owns a business they may be challenged to handle the responsibilities of holding the office.
The commissioners will also consider establishing “staggered term limits” for the boards and commissions it appoints. The wording for that measure will be due prior to June 1.
According to the synopsis, other items to be discussed under the broad initiative, dubbed “commissioner guidance,” include viewing the farm and forestry “more like a business,” taking a more “business-like approach” to running the Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center and Chesapeake Hills Golf Course, accelerating the process for finalizing the new sign regulations, determine if more commissioners’ meetings are needed (in addition to the one meeting per week), determine if “alternative sources of revenue” can be found, evaluate the various use tables that restrict certain businesses outside of town centers, make government offices more “citizen friendly,” develop incentives for housing and commercial development and determine alternative approaches to “the way government is run.”
According to a memo to the commissioners from County Administrator Terry L. Shannon, the 10 goals were established “after consulting with the department directors.” The areas of guidance were established “considering the goals outlined within the Calvert County Comprehensive Master Plan, primarily the goal of ‘encouraging a stable and enduring economic base,’ ” Shannon stated.
The entire synopsis and agenda for the March 3 commissioners’ meeting may be viewed at http://www.co.cal.md.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/03032015-784
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
