Carroll County Presentation Types of County Governments (June 11, 2019)
Maryland Counties There are 24 counties in Maryland (23 counties + Baltimore City which legally counts as both a county and a municipality) 2
Maryland Counties Are Very Diverse Maryland often called “America in miniature” Maryland counties are very diverse and have vastly different local needs and demographics Estimated Total Population as of July 1, 2019 – Montgomery County (1,079,558 people) to Kent County (18,936 people) [Carroll ranks 9th with 168,790 people] Estimated Population Density as of July 1, 2019 – Baltimore City (7,428 persons/square mile) to Garret County (45 persons/square mile) [Carroll ranks 10th with 378 persons/square mile] Approved Fiscal Year 2019 Operating Budgets – Montgomery County ($5.1 billion) to Somerset County ($49.2 million) [Carroll is $411.3 million] There are 157 incorporated municipalities (including Baltimore City) which are also independent local governments 3 One size does not fit all!
Services Maryland Counties Provide Maryland counties provide a very wide range of services ( * means services required or governed under state law) Commun unity ty Coll lleg eges es* - Support of the county or regional board of trustees of a community college that operates under state law. Debt t Servi vice ce - Annual principal and interest payments on debt issued for the development of public capital facilities (i.e., roads, schools, libraries, parks, etc.). Genera ral Gove vernme rnment nt - Executive and legislative control, judicial support*, election supervision*, financial administration (budgeting and accounting), legal (counsel and prosecution*), personnel administration, general services, and alcoholic beverage control*. Health lth* - Support of the state required and regulated county health department. K-12 Ed Educat ation* n* - Support of the state required county board of education that operates under state law. 4
Services Maryland Counties Provide Maryland counties provide a very wide range of services ( * means services required or governed under state law) Land Pla lanni ning g and Devel elopm opment nt – Zoning, urban and rural development and redevelopment, housing, economic development, and economic opportunity programs. Lib ibrari aries es* - Support of the county board of library trustees that operate under state law. Publi lic c Safety fety - Law enforcement, fire protection, corrections, building inspection, animal control, and traffic engineering. Publi lic c Work rks - Road construction and maintenance, sewer, water, storm drains, and solid waste collection and disposal (in Montgomery and Prince George's counties sewer and water services are provided by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission). Recreation eation and Pa Parks rks - Recreation activities and facilities and park and open space maintenance and development. 5
Types of County Governments Three types of county governments Commission Calvert, Carroll, Garrett, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Washington = 6 Charter Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Cecil, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Talbot, Wicomico = 12 Code Home Rule Allegany, Caroline, Charles, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Worcester = 6 6
Commission Form of Government Original form of county government used by all counties up until early 20th century Governed by a group of elected officials called “commissioners.” Per Article VII, Section 2 of Maryland Constitution, can only legislate in areas where General Assembly has given them authority. While those areas have increased over time they are still more narrowly construed than of charter and code home rule counties General Assembly can enact legislation affecting a single commission county and exact powers do vary from commission county to commission county 7
Commission Form of Government Examples of General Assembly involvement in commission counties (from Department of Legislative Services analysis of legislation considered by General Assembly 2011-2014) Regulation of local roads Sale of county property Fees for water and sewer service and solid waste disposal Abatement of nuisances Salaries and benefits of county officers and employees Term limits and the filing of vacancies in a board of county commissioners Litter control Animal control Repeal of a local ban on fortune telling 8
Contact Information Leslie Knapp Jr. Legal and Policy Counsel Maryland Association of Counties lknapp@mdcounties.org Phone: 410.269.0043 9
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