Annually, the Commission submits a report to the State Ethics Commission, showing County compliance with State regulations (Code State Government Article, sec. 15-803(b)).
Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, the Ethics Commission consists of five members who serve three-year terms (County Code, sec. 158-4).
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
The Department is responsible for the County’s Copy Center, and three offices: Accounting; Chief Financial Officer; and Procurement.
Seven members constitute the Commission. Three are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners; two by the 29th Legislative District Delegation; one by the St. Mary's County Democratic Central Committee; and one by the St. Mary's County Republican Central Committee (County Code, secs. 23-1 through 23-5).
In 1901, the County Treasurer was authorized to collect taxes, and given a two-year term (Chapter 237, Acts of 1900). By 1902, the County Treasurer also was required to assess taxes for the County, but was forbidden from serving two consecutive terms (Chapters 346 & 402, Acts of 1902). In 1942, the office term was extended to four-years without term limits (County Code, secs. 139-1 through 139-4).
The County Treasurer collects and disperses all real estate and personal property tax revenue due the State or County. The Treasurer processes this revenue, and records any additions, abatements, decreases, or transfers of tax responsibility. Reporting to the Board of County Commissioners, the Treasurer also maintains records of collected and disbursed funds and bonds.
Under the County Treasurer, the Budget Officer conducts an annual report of the levy, including assessed taxable value for properties in the County (County Code, sec. 139-4).
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Creating and maintaining all County government websites, the Public Information Office provides news and emergency releases to media and the public. The Office informs residents of County programs, initiatives, and emergency messages. It also maintains a local cable channel (95 Live) to air live all meetings of the Board of County Commissioners and the Planning Commission.
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
Advising the Board of County Commissioners on matters related to fiscal policy, the Department of Finance oversees the execution of all fiscal programs and policies except those related to the billing and collection of property taxes. The Department also manages all County debts (County Code, secs. 27-1 through 27-11).
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
The Department of Human Resources administers County employment policies and procedures. It also provides for employee benefits, employment and safety training, and mediation in employee disputes.
COMPENSATION REVIEW COMMISSION
The Compensation Review Commission formed in 1999 (Chapter 202, Acts of 1999). Every four years, the Commission reviews and makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on salaries set for County officials, and the Board of Education, as well as benefits allotted by State and County law to the Board of County Commissioners, and the Board of Education.
COUNTY TREASURER
The financial supervision of Maryland counties was overseen by two State Treasurers from 1776 to 1843. One served the Eastern Shore, and the other, the counties west of the Chesapeake. In 1843, the two positions merged, and a single State Treasurer began to oversee each county's finances. For St. Mary's County, that State oversight ended in January 1888, when the Board of County Commissioners annually began to designate one of its members as treasurer to perform clerical duties for the Board (Chapter 511, Acts of 1888).
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