ST. MARY'S COUNTY, MARYLAND

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

ADMINISTRATION

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

Chesapeake Building, 41770 Baldridge St., Leonardtown, Maryland, November 2017. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

ETHICS COMMISSION
The Ethics Commission is the advisory board responsible for interpreting the County Code of Ethics and advising persons subject to its application. The Commission hears and decides complaints of alleged ethics violations. In addition, the Commission serves as custodian of all evidentiary statements, registrations, reports, and unresolved complaints submitted in accordance with the Ethics Code. Other public records related to ethics violations are retained by the County Administrator (County Code, secs. 158-1 through 158-10).

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).

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
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

The Department is responsible for the County’s Copy Center, and three offices: Accounting; Chief Financial Officer; and Procurement.

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

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.

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).

Potomac Building, 23115 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, Maryland, November 2017. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

COUNTY TREASURER

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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