Calvert County commissioners repeal local term limits for appointed boards and commissions

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners voted June 3 to repeal the county code section that set term limits for members of most county-appointed boards and commissions.

Board members said the change responds to recurring difficulty filling vacancies on local boards and commissions. The motion to remove section 11-4 of the county code passed by voice vote after a motion and a second; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.

Supporters told the board that the county regularly struggles to recruit volunteers and that enforced term limits sometimes force the removal of experienced participants when replacements cannot be found. A staff presenter said the board had considered initially reducing limits for two specific economic development commissions and then broadened the proposal to apply countywide (for boards and commissions not otherwise governed by state law).

The board’s action removes term limits ‘‘for all boards and commissions appointed by the board and not otherwise set by state law,’’ according to the motion recorded at the meeting. Commissioners voted in favor with no recorded opposition.

The change takes effect as an amendment to the county code; the board did not specify additional implementing steps during the meeting. No public comments were recorded on the item at the time of the vote.

Commissioners and staff noted the board will continue to advertise openings and encourage residents to apply. The county’s online volunteer application process was discussed earlier in the meeting as the board promoted several citizen advisory roles.

The repeal was moved and seconded in open session and carried by voice vote. The transcript does not identify the motion’s maker and seconder by name, nor provide a recorded vote tally.