Council considers five proposed amendments to Frederick County charter

Ceoli Jacoby, The Frederick News-Post, Md.
·2 min read

The Frederick County Council is considering five proposed amendments to the Frederick County charter, including one providing for the removal of a council member from office and another authorizing the legislators to remove an appointed department head.

During a meeting on Tuesday, the council voted unanimously to send the five proposed amendments to a public hearing.

Two of the amendments were put forward by Council Vice President Kavonté Duckett.

One of Duckett's proposed amendments would enable five or more members of the council to remove another member from office by affirmative vote if that member failed or became unable to perform their duties for six consecutive months.

Duckett's other proposed amendment would allow the president and vice president of the County Council to serve in their positions for the entirety of their four-year terms and provides for their removal as an officer by an affirmative vote of five or more members.

Under the current charter, the County Council must hold elections for the president and vice president every two years, and there is no removal clause.

Another proposed amendment, put forward by Councilmember Steve McKay, would require the County Council to hold a public hearing before making certain supplemental appropriations, or expenditures not reflected in the annual budget.

On behalf of County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, Council President Brad Young proposed a charter amendment that would permit council members to receive "allowances and fringe benefits," such as health insurance, in addition to their regular salaries.

A similar fringe benefits measure was included on the general election ballot in 2022. It failed that year, with 77.82% of people voting against the charter amendment and 22.18% voting in favor of it, according to the State Board of Elections.

The amendment concerning the removal of an appointed department head was put forward by Councilmember Mason Carter. Under the current charter, the council only has the authority to confirm executive appointments.

If Carter's charter amendment were adopted, the council could remove an appointed department head with the affirmative vote of five or more members and after a public hearing is held.

The public hearing on the proposed charter amendments has been scheduled for June 4 at 7 p.m., according to council Legislative Director Ragen Cherney.

At its June 18 meeting, the council will vote on which proposed amendments, if any, to include on the ballot for the Nov. 5 general election.

Before the council votes, members of Fitzwater's administration can chance to weigh in, Cherney said.