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Somerset County commissioners enter closed session, approve department status and position grade
Summary
At a March 3 special session, the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners voted to enter a closed session under Annotated Code of Maryland § 3-305(b)(1) to discuss personnel; the board approved a department status and position grade. Commissioner Craig Mathies was absent.
President Charles Laird called a special session of the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners to order at 2:00 p.m. on March 3, 2026.
The board voted to enter a closed session at 2:02 p.m. by a motion from Commissioner Eldon Willing, seconded by Commissioner Darryl Webster. The motion, carried by all members present, cited the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland § 3-305(b)(1), which authorizes closed meetings to discuss personnel matters. Commissioner Craig Mathies was recorded as absent.
County Administrator Ernest Leatherbury, HR Director Jamie Manaia, and Executive Secretary Kimberly Lopez were listed as staff present for the closed session, which the record shows ran from 2:02 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. in Room 111 at 11916 Somerset Avenue. The minutes state the topic discussed as personnel and list the action taken as “Approval of department status and position grade.”
Earlier in the meeting, President Laird asked Commissioner Eldon Willing to lead those present in devotion and the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting record concludes with the submission of the summary report and minutes by Executive Secretary Kimberly Lopez on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners.
No additional details about the department status change or the specific position grade adjustments were provided in the meeting record.