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The County Commissioners of Caroline County
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Commission Meetings
Copies of the minutes
of meetings of the
Caroline County Commissioners are now available.
Note that these are slightly amended for better
display on the web. To obtain paper or
emailed copies of minutes documents, please
email the
Office of the Commissioners.
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There are three County Commissioners, each of whom must be a
resident of Caroline County. Each Commissioner is elected at
large for a four-year term to represent the interests of the
entire county.
Currently, the County Commissioners meet weekly on Tuesdays
at the Caroline County Courthouse, 109 Market Street, Room 106,
Denton Maryland; beginning at 9:00 AM with the following
exceptions:
On the last Tuesday of each month the meeting is held in
the evening beginning at 7:00 PM.
The Roads Board will meet as needed on the last Tuesday
of the month during the regular Commissioners meeting.
No meetings are scheduled between Christmas and New
Year's Day
There may be occasional advertised "On-the-Road" meetings around
the county
To schedule an appointment to meet with the Commissioners,
call the County Commissioners Office at 410-479-0660. Persons
who do not have an appointment will be recognized at the end of
the meeting if time allows and at the discretion of the
President. The weekly agenda may be viewed
here.
AGENDAS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE TIME OF CONVENING.
Meetings are held in open session (may be observed by the
public) unless otherwise indicated. All or part of County
Commissioners meetings can be held in closed session under the
authority of the state open meetings law by vote of the
Commissioners. Cancelled, rescheduled and emergency meeting
notices will be posted on the front door of the Courthouse as
soon as information is available.
Two Commissioners constitute a quorum and may conduct county
business. Business presented is disposed of by one of the
following actions:
County Law - In 1984, the citizens of Caroline
County voted to establish Caroline as a Code Home Rule
County. Home rule allows Caroline to exercise the power
of self-government over purely local matters. The Maryland
General Assembly retains the ultimate authority regarding
maximum limits on property tax rates and the amount of
indebtedness incurred by the county. Despite home rule,
laws in certain areas, such as education, health, alcoholic
beverages, and judicial proceedings, and those establishing
new types of taxes or fees, must by passed by the State.
Ordinance - An ordinance or amendment to an
ordinance is a legislative act and requires advertisement
and a public hearing. An ordinance is binding and
permanent, and can be changed only by a subsequent
ordinance. Resolution - Generally expresses the policy of the
Commissioners or directs certain types of administrative
action, and can be changed by a subsequent resolution.
Motion - Indicates majority
approval of a procedural action, such as authorization of
expenditures or acceptance of recommendations. Also used
to authorize administrative officials to take certain
actions. Most frequent form of action taken. Referral - When the
Commissioners are not ready to take definite action, the
matter may be referred to the County Administrator,
County Attorney, or other administrative official for
further investigation and report. State Law - The Commissioners
can request Caroline's representatives in the Maryland
General Assembly to sponsor legislation in areas where
the County has no law-making authority.
The County Commissioners' duties and responsibilities are:
Enact county laws and
establish county policies Submit proposed changes of
state law to the Maryland General Assembly Determine what taxes shall
be levied and in what amount Determine how much money
shall be spent and for what purpose Approve contracts and
agreements Promote the welfare of
Caroline County
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Administration and Support Office
County Administrator - Ken Decker
The position of County Administrator is an executive position
with Caroline County government and is appointed by the County
Commissioners. The Administrator serves at the pleasure of the
Commissioners and receives direction from them and conducts the
day-to-day business of the County.
The following are some of the powers and duties of the County
Administrator:
Is the chief administrative, finance, and budget officer
of the County Supervises and coordinates the administration of the
functions of the several departments and administrative
agencies of the County and carries on the general policies,
orders and instructions of the commissioners in the
administration of the public local and other laws applying
to the County Recommends to the
Commissioners persons for appointment to the several
offices and positions in the County government Examines the books and records
of each department and agency of the County government
regularly and reports to the Commissioners the condition.
The Commissioners shall make provision for an annual
audit of the books and accounts by the appointment of an
independent auditor Prepares and makes public
a comprehensive annual report to the commissioners of
the operations of the County government Acts as a liaison officer
in meetings of the several boards and agencies Supervises the financial
administration of each office, department, board,
commission, institution or other agency, to study and
investigate the organization and management and the
bookkeeping and accounting procedures of these agencies
and directs them to adopt and follow such methods as
deemed advisable Establishes and maintains
current accounts of all appropriations, revenues and
disbursements made by the Commissioners; Keeps the
Commissioners advised of the financial condition of
the County and makes recommendations as advisable;
Controls and supervises all County expenditures on the
basis of authorized budget allotments Examines and approves bills,
demands or charges and determines their regularity,
legality and correctness, and supervises and manages
the purchase of materials, goods and services for the
County Has oversight authority on
personnel issues
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Chief of Staff - Sara Visintainer
This is a responsible administrative and records management
position providing direct staff support to the County
Commissioners. The appointee serves at the pleasure of the
County Commissioners, works cooperatively with the County
Administrator, and is responsible for the proper development,
recording and codification of the legislative actions of the
County Commissioners.
With input from the County Commissioners and County
Administrator, the Executive Assistant to the County
Commissioners is responsible for developing the County
Commissioners' weekly agenda,
and publishes same; gathers and researches necessary data in
preparation for meeting; participates in meetings by sharing
information and making recommendations where appropriate; and
advises on the applicability of open meeting laws. They are
also responsible for supervising the taking and transcribing
of minutes of all official meetings of the Commissioners.
They are site planner/coordinator for Commissioner meetings
held outside the Courthouse.
With direction from the County Commissioners, the Executive
Assistant to the County Commissioners also drafts resolutions,
ordinances, and legislative bills, and ensures proper
advertising as mandated. Technical assistance is sought from
the County Administrator, County Attorney and department heads
for the preparation of drafts.
As custodian of the Code of Public Laws of Caroline County,
the Executive Assistant to the County Commissioners ensures
proper distribution, maintenance, annual supplements and
recodification when necessary.
The Executive Assistant to the County Commissioners drafts
letters to government officials and the public setting forth
the Commissioners' views, requests and recommendations.
They distribute and process correspondence and requests received
by the Commissioners. They provide information to the public
and other government; receives, resolves or refers problems
and complaints.
The Executive Assistant to the County Commissioners assists
with drafting and design of materials that portray County
government to the public, such as budget messages, news
releases, and newsletters. They foster cooperative
relationship between the Commissioners office and news media
representatives.
With direction from the Commissioners, they draft state
legislative bill requests, and coordinates communication
with state legislators.
They coordinate for the County State legislative bill
fiscal note responses through the
Maryland Department of
Legislative Services.
They receive and review a variety of state program agreement
renewals and proposals, and make recommendations to the County
Commissioners.
They assist the County Administrator and bond counsel on
bond issuances.
They prepare and submit annual budget hearing ads in accordance
with law.
As the custodian of County Commissioners Office records, they
establish record retention and disposition schedules in
accordance with State guidelines.
They administer the manufacturers tax credit program.
They coordinate appointments for the County Commissioners.
They maintain a list of Commissioner-appointed boards by
function and membership; inform the Commissioners of
term expirations and processes new appointments. They assist
with procurement of nominees through news media releases and
other venues.
They are assistant to the Caroline County Ethics Commission,
and to ad hoc commissions as may be appointed.
They maintain records for Caroline County public drainage
associations. They work with Soil Conservation and the
Commissioners regarding procedures prescribed under Maryland
Drainage Law.
They perform other duties as assigned.
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Government Departments
Caroline County's Board of Education
oversees all public schools and related facilities, personnel and programs
throughout the county.
The Department of Corrections
provides public safety through the detention and confinement of
pre-trial detainees and adjudicated offenders in a safe and secure institution.
The Department of Emergency Management
has several roles, including provision of emergency planning
and coordination for various entities within the county government.
The Department of Emergency Medical Services
is the County's emergency paramedic service.
The Office of Finance
accurately records all County resources and assets of
Caroline County government.
The
Caroline County Public Library System provides books and
audiovisual materials plus many other programs and services
for the children, youth and adults of the county.
The Department of Planning and
Codes Administration identifies
and plans for the appropriate scale, type and location for the
county's future residential growth, public facilities and
economic development while working to preserve out important
agricultural industry and natural resources.
The Department of Public Works
is responsible for the County's roads, its physical plant and
facilities, and purchase and maintenance of County vehicles, as
well as a variety of other programs.
Department of Recreation & Parks
provides quality park and recreation services responsive to the
needs of the citizens of Caroline County.
Caroline County Sheriff's Department
is charged with safeguarding the lives of all persons within
the county, protecting property and assisting in securing to
all persons equal protection of the law.
Caroline County's
Office of
Tourism is delegated to a nonprofit organization, the
Caroline Economic
Development Corporation. Its mission is to increase
business and employment opportunity in the county through
business retention and expansion, and the attraction of new
industry to diversify the local economy.
The Office of the Tax Office
is responsible and accountable for all funds collected, invested
and disbursed by the County.
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