The Conservative Breakfast Group (CBG) will be reviewing its efforts to support reform of the Kent County Government at their meeting on Thursday, March 1. There are currently three County Commissioners who serve both a legislative and also an executive roll in County Government. Many people believe the County would be better served with five or more Commissioners. Dick Sossi will join us and share his experience in increasing the number of Commissioners in Queen Anne’s County from three to five.
The CBG meets every Thursday at 7:30AM at the Holiday Inn Express in Chestertown.
Kent County is one of six counties in Maryland with home rule. Of these, only Kent, Caroline and Allegany have only three commissioners. These three commissioners are responsible for both making laws and enforcing them. This means that it takes only two commissioners to agree to enter into contracts or raise taxes.
Further, there are 23 boards and committees in addition to the county government officials that report to the three Commissioners. It would seem important that at least one of the commissioners attend the meetings of each of the boards and committees, and be available to meet with the department heads of county government. This would seem to be an almost impossible task if the commissioners were working full time, but they only work part time. More commissioners would help alleviate this problem and make the county government more accessible to the county residents.
Under the present form of county government, all three commissioners are elected at large. This means that all of the commissioners often come from Chestertown where they are better known. Whether true or not, many of those living outside of Chestertown feel they are short changed when it comes from decisions about employment by the county, location of county facilities and the like. Dividing the County into voting districts so that each geographical section of the county was represented would help to alleviate these concerns.
Dick Sossi was a Delegate in Maryland’s General Assembly from Queen Anne’s County when they changed from 3 commissioners to 5. His insight into the key steps in the process will be invaluable.
CBG is also working with the Institute for Governmental Service and Research of the University of Maryland to better understand the process of achieving increased participation by the citizens of Kent County in their government. We will share what we have learned at Thursday’s meeting.
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