Annually, the Board provides to the County Treasurer a full report of all resources and revenue owned by County Government, as well as a fiscal report of all estimates for expenditures and disbersements to be made the following fiscal year. The Board is required to publish this list of estimates in local newspapers for Dorchester County.
Since 1961, the Board of Estimates has been responsible for setting the salaries and compensation for County Government. Except where mandated by other agencies, the Board each year also provides for expenses of County employees and elected officials (County Code, sec. 10-13).
Fron 1916 to 2002, the Board of County Commissioners constituted the Board of Estimates. Since 2002, the County Council has served as the Board of Estimates (County Code, secs. 10-9 through 10-23).
ETHICS COMMISSION
Annually, the Commission submits a report to the State Ethics Commission, showing County compliance with State law governing the public ethics of local officials with respect to conflicts of interest, financial disclosure, and lobbying (Code General Provisions Article, secs. 5-804 through 5-812).
The Commission consists of five members. Each member of the County Council chooses one member of the Commission to serve a four-year term (County Code, secs. 88-1 through 88-9).
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD
The Police Accountability Board receives complaints of police misconduct filed by members of the public. On a quarterly basis, the Board meets with heads of law enforcement agencies, and works with those agencies and County government to improve County policing.
Legal mandates providing for the Board also authorized Charging Committees and Trial Boards, whose civilian members are appointed by the Police Accountability Board. On a quarterly basis, the Board reviews disciplinary matters considered by Charging Committees.
Appointed by the County Council to four-year terms, the Police Accountability Board consists of seven members. The Chair is chosen by the County Council (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 3-102 through 3-104. County Code 122-1 through 122-8).
Meeting at least monthly, the Committee reviews the findings of each law enforcement agency’s investigation of police misconduct complaints forwarded by the agency to the Committee. From information related to the investigation, the Committee makes determinations and recommendations. It may review body camera footage, call a police officer before the Committee, determine if a police officer should be charged administratively, or recommend discipline. The Committee may submit written opinions to the director of the law enforcement agency, and to the accused police officer, the complainant, and the Police Accountability Board.
Five members constitute the Committee. The County Council appoints two members to two-year terms as does the Police Accountability Board. One member serves ex officio (Code Public Safety Article, sec. 3-104).
Since 1982, the Ethics Commission has investigated and made determinations concerning complaints alleging violations of the County ethics law, and provided advisory opinions to persons subject to that law.
Effective July 1, 2022, the General Assembly required each Maryland county to establish a Police Accountability Board (Chapter 59, Acts of 2021; Code Public Safety Article, secs. 3-101 through 3-104). In Dorchester County, the County Council established the Police Accountability Board in October 2022 (Bill no. 2022-11).
ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGING COMMITTEE
In October 2022, the Administrative Charging Committee was formed by the County Council (Bill no. 2022-11).
FINANCE & TREASURY DEPARTMENT
The Department is responsible for all fiscal duties as directed by County Manager or County Council. These duties include maintaining records for the County on all accounts, audits, bonds, debts, and payments (by and to the County). The Department controls all appropriations and allotments, as well as prepares monthly and annual financial statements regarding County finances. Annually, the Department submits a County budget to the County Council (County Charter, secs. 501-515).
Appointed by the County Manager with County Council consent, the Director of Finance oversees the Department (County Charter, sec. 501).
HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
© Copyright Maryland State Archives
In 1996, the Finance and Treasury Department started as the Finance Department, and later reformed as the Finance and Treasury Department.
Created in November 2002, the Human Resources Department is responsible for all personnel-related matters for County Government and its employees.
The Technology Department assists County employees with computer and technical concerns. The Department maintains hardware and software, and maintains the Dorchester County Government internet network.
Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
Maryland Departments
Maryland Independent Agencies
Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards
Maryland Universities & Colleges
Maryland Counties
Maryland Municipalities
Maryland at a Glance
Maryland Manual On-Line