An ordinance or resolution creating an economic development commission shall include the following provisions:
(1) That the Commission shall consist of between nine (9) and fifteen (15) members, who shall be appointed by the board of county commissioners; and that the members shall represent a cross section of the economic composition of the county and shall be selected because of their known experience and interest in the development of the county;
(2) That the commission may:
a. Investigate and assemble information pertinent to the economic resources and industrial opportunities of the county;
b. Encourage location of new industrial enterprises in the county and the expansion of present enterprises;
c. Disseminate information in the interest of industrial development by publication, advertising and other means;
d. Cooperate with any federal, state, local agency, board or commission, including the Department of Economic and Community Development of Maryland;
e. Cooperate with any interested private concern, civic organization or subdivision;
(3) a. That each member serves for a term of 5 years. The terms of the members shall be staggered, as required by the terms of the members serving on July 1, 1985;
b. That they shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of their duties;
c. That the commission shall select from its own membership a chairman, vice chairman, and a secretary-treasurer, who may not be the same person, to serve a term of one year and be eligible for reelection; that a person may not hold the position of chairman for more than three (3) consecutive terms;
d. That upon the death, disability, resignation, or removal of any member of the commission, the board of county commissioners shall appoint a person to serve for the unexpired term;
(4) That the state senators for the county and the president of the board of county commissioners shall serve as ex officio members of the economic development commission without the power to vote;
(5) That the commission has the power to establish and appoint advisory groups and committees to assist in its program of activity, which membership is not restricted solely to members of the commission;
(6) That the commission shall meet monthly and shall hold special meetings whenever requested by the chairman or any three (3) members of the commission; that the commission shall adopt rules and regulations as it considers necessary to govern procedure and business; that a simple majority constitutes a quorum; that the commission shall submit to the board of county commissioners an annual operating budget for the fiscal year for the approval of the county commissioners, and the board of county commissioners shall provide the funds approved by them; that the commission may employ employees as required, but within the limits of its budget; that any newly created position and salary shall receive the approval of the board of county commissioners; that the title of the position or positions to be created shall be approved by the board of county commissioners, but the appointment of a person shall be subject to the approval of the economic development commission; and
(7) That annual reports shall be filed with the board of county commissioners and made available to the public; and that the annual report shall include subjects and recommendations for the improvement and advancement of the economic welfare of the people of the county.
(Code 1959, § 2-7A(B); 1976, Chapter 106, § 1; 1981, Chapter 61, § 1; 1990, Chapter 391, § 1)