CHARTER OF FREDERICK COUNTY, MARYLAND

(Adopted by the voters of Frederick County, Maryland, Tuesday, November 6, 2022.)

PREAMBLE

ARTICLE 1.
General Provisions

   101.   Body Corporate and Politic

   102.   Exercise of Powers

   103.   Name and Boundaries

   104.   Definitions

ARTICLE 2.
County Council

   201.   Composition

   202.   Powers

   203.   Council to Act as a Body

   204.   Election

   205.   Qualifications

   206.   Term of Office

   207.   Salary

   208.   Forfeiture of Office

   209.   Vacancies

   210.   Officers

   211.   Investigations by the Council

   212.   Non-interference

   213.   Council Assistance

   214.   Redistricting

ARTICLE 3.
Legislative Process

   301.   Legislative Powers

   302.   Legislative Sessions

   303.   Non-legislative Sessions

   304.   Legislative Procedure

   305.   Enactment of Legislation

   306.   Executive Veto

   307.   Effective Date of Laws

   308.   Referendum

   309.   Publication of Laws

   310.   Compilation of Laws

ARTICLE 4
Executive

   401.   Composition

   402.   County Executive Powers and Duties

   403.   Election of the County Executive

   404.   Term of the County Executive

   405.   Qualifications of the County Executive

   406.   Compensation of the County Executive

   407.   Forfeiture of Office by the Executive

   408.   Vacancy in the Office of County Executive

   409.   Temporary Absence

   410.   Chief Administrative Officer

   411.   County Attorney

   412.   Appointment and Removal of Department Heads and Others

   413.   Temporary Administrative Appointments

   414.   Plan of Organization

ARTICLE 5.
Budget and Finance

   501.   Establishment of Position of Director of Finance

   502.   Fiscal Year and Tax Year

   503.   Preparation of the County Budget

   504.   Budget Message

   505.   Public Budget Hearing

   506.   Action on the Budget by the Council

   507.   Tax Levy and Balanced Budget

   508.   Borrowing Limitations

   509.   Transfer of Appropriations

   510.   Supplemental Appropriations

   511.   Emergency Appropriations

   512.   Lapsed Appropriations

   513.   Amendment to Capital Budget after Adoption of the Budget

   514.   Composition and Limitation upon County Funds

ARTICLE 6.
Land Use

   601.   Adoption of Land Use Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland

ARTICLE 7.
Miscellaneous

   701.   Charter Amendments

   702.   Termination of Charter

   703.   Charter Review Commission

   704.   Independent Auditor

   705.   Right to Organize, Collectively Bargain, and Binding Arbitration for Career Fire Fighters

ARTICLE 8
Transitional Provisions

   801.   Nature of This Article

   802.   Time Certain Articles Become Effective

   803.   First Election

   804.   Existing Laws

   805.   Reference in State Constitution and Laws to County Commissioners

   806.   Existing Officers and Employees

   807.   Existing Members of Boards and Commissions

   808.   Office of the County Commissioner Abolished