Cecil County Board of Commissioners
The Legislative Branch of Cecil County Government

Cecil County is a Commissioner form of government.  Each Commissioner is required to live in his/her District, but is elected at large to serve a four-year term.  Terms are staggered and expire for Districts 2, 3 and 4 in 2010, and Districts 1 and 5 in 2008, and every four years thereafter.

The five-member Board of County Commissioners is the legislative governing body of Cecil County.  Pursuant to the Maryland Annotated Code, Article 25, the newly elected Board shall meet within 60-days after the election.  After each election, the Board of Commissioners elect a president to preside over the Commissioner meetings, execute all documents and contracts on behalf of the Board of Commissioners, perform the duties of Chief Executive Officer of the Board in all emergency situations that require action by the Board, call special meetings when deemed necessary, and serve as the official spokesperson for the Board in policy issues as outlined in Chapter 60 of the Cecil County Code.
 
Board Responsibilities

Article 25 of the Maryland Annotated Code establishes specific duties and powers of the Board of County Commissioners.  The Commissioners adopt ordinances (local laws) and resolutions to establish policies and programs to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of Cecil County residents.  Article 25 states that the Commissioners are governed by express authority granted by the Maryland Legislature, which means all new legislation, other than those specifically stated in Article 25, is required to be approved and passed by the State Legislature.  

The County Commissioners are responsible for making decisions consistent with the public interest.  They guide County residential and industrial growth and development, and work to find solutions for major issues facing County government.  Some specific duties undertaken by the Board include:

• Provide for 24/7 emergency and paramedic services
• Provide for construction and maintenance of County buildings, roads and bridges
• Provide programs for housing, community redevelopment, conservation, flood and shore erosion control
• Adopt and provide for enforcement of building and housing codes and regulations
• Prepare, review, and enforce the Comprehensive Plan for the development of unincorporated areas of the County
• Provide for cultural and recreational facilities and programs for County residents
• Develop and approve annually a 6-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
• Enter into agreements with other governmental agencies for mutual performance of duties
• Appoint County Administrator/Department Directors and assigns responsibilities and powers to implement policies and procedures

Citizen Advisory Boards and Commissions

The Board of County Commissioners appoints County residents to serve as volunteers on various Citizen Advisory Boards and Commissions.  State law requires that some advisory boards exist; others are formed by the County Commissioners with a specific purpose to advise the Commissioners on a particular issue or challenge.  

 The Commissioners appoint citizens in one of two ways to serve, (1) the Commissioners receive recommendations for appointment from the managing county agency or department, or (2) the Commissioners choose the appointee.  These groups are established for advisory and/or regulatory purposes.  

County residents are encouraged to fill out a Request for Appointment form if they would like to be considered for an appointment to a specific Citizen Advisory Board, etc.  A link to the form is also available on our home page under Forms and Permits. 
 
Commissioner Meetings

Commissioner meetings are open to the public and generally held the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., except during the summer.  Generally the first meeting is held at the County Administrative Building and second meeting is held at one of the municipalities within the County.  The summer meetings are held at the County Administrative Building and are scheduled as follows:

Click here to access the current year's Commissioners' Meeting schedule or contact the Commissioners' Office at 410.996.5201.

The public may sign in for Public Comment and address the Board of Commissioners on agenda items.  Public Comment is limited to 5 minutes.