Tonight kicks off the first of several informational meetings this summer to educate Carroll County residents about the differences between commissioner and code home rule forms of government.
Commissioners announced Monday that after the workshops, two public hearings will take place: the first one in July in Eldersburg and the second one in August in Westminster.
Proponents of code home rule say the change in government would allow greater local control of legislation as commissioners would be allowed to pass bills without the approval of the General Assembly in Annapolis.
The state legislature would retain taxing powers.
Before the question about code home rule makes it on November?s ballot, the county must hold the workshops, then the public hearings, followed by a vote where two out of three commissioners must agree to let voters choose.
Commissioners expressed concern about fully educating the public in time for the Aug. 21 deadline to submit the ballot question, but Victor K. Tervala, author of “Home Rule Options in Maryland” and University of Maryland government expert who will speak at tonight?s workshop, said plenty of time exists to inform residents of the differences.
“People don?t usually pay attention until it?s close to election time anyway,” he said.
Under code home rule, state law would limit the number of days out of the year when commissioners could pass laws.
“Right now, they pass ordinances every day, but under code home rule, they would be limited to 45 days over the course of year, but they don?t have to be consecutive,” county spokeswoman Vivian Laxton said.
“Every county gets to choose how they break it up.”
Workshop Schedules
Following code home rule workshops begin at 7 p.m.:
» Today: Oklahoma Road Middle School, 6300 Oklahoma Road, Eldersburg
» Thursday: Carroll County Office Building, Room 003, 225 N. Center St., Westminster
» July 20: Francis Scott Key High School, 3825 Bark Hill Road, Union Bridge
Following code home rule public hearings begin
at 7 p.m.:
» July 25: Oklahoma Road Middle School, 6300 Oklahoma Road, Eldersburg,
» Aug. 1: County Office Building, 225 N. Center St., Westminster
