Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Of Appeals topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Calvert commissioners vote to change how Board of Appeals hires its attorney
Summary
The board approved starting the adoption process for updated Board of Appeals rules and voted to have the county, rather than the appeals board itself, select the Board of Appeals attorney going forward. Commissioners asked staff to return with final contract language for procurement alignment.
The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners voted Feb. 10 to change the process by which the Board of Appeals obtains legal counsel and to begin the process of adopting other amendments to the Board of Appeals rules and procedures.
During a staff presentation, Planning Director Jason Brinkley introduced proposed updates to streamline roles and reflect departmental reorganizations. Tamara Blake Wallace, introduced by Brinkley as the deputy director and Board of Appeals administrator, outlined edits such as replacing a clerk role with a coordinator and updating references to the zoning ordinance.
Commissioners focused discussion on a provision that allows the Board of Appeals to select its own attorney. Multiple commissioners and staff noted the arrangement has been handled via purchase order without a signed contract and that it creates procurement and conflict-management complications. Commissioner (speaker 12) moved that the attorney for the Board of Appeals be selected "along the same lines as other boards within the county," the motion was seconded and carried after a voice vote.
The board also voted to start the formal process to adopt the remaining changes while staff drafts and returns with final language, particularly the exact procurement wording for the attorney-selection change. Staff recommended ratifying most rule edits after a brief return to confirm the attorney language in writing.
What happens next: staff will draft final ordinance language and procurement/contract provisions for BOCC review and bring the matter back for formal adoption. The motion to change attorney-selection practice included an explicit request that the board president recuse for the immediate motion; the board recorded approval by voice vote.
