Dorchester County Proposed Charter Amendments
The current County Charter includes a requirement that at least every 10 years the County Council will appoint a Charter Review Commission for the purpose of reviewing the Charter in full and submitting recommendations to the County Council.
At its February 7, 2023 meeting, the County Council agreed to reconvene the Charter Review Commission prior to the 2024 Election to consider changing the residency requirement of the Finance Director and the County Manager. The Commission is not precluded from reviewing other provisions of the County Charter. You can review a complete history of the commission's work by clicking here.
The Commission recommended 8 changes to the charter. After reviewing the recommendations the County Council has moved 6 of the recommendations forward for consideration. Changes to the charter are presented to the residents of the county to vote on which changes will be made. The 6 recommended changes will be presented on your ballot during the upcoming general election. You can click here to read the full wording of the recommended changes.
Below are the results of the voting on the 6 questions
Question A - PASSED
Administrative Review
To amend the Dorchester County Charter to specify that the review of
administrative structure that is required at least every four years be conducted
within the first fiscal year of each County Council term.
Question B - PASSED
County Budget Preparation and Adoption Dates
To amend the Dorchester County Charter to change the date by which the County
Council shall prepare the annual budget from May 1 to May 15 each year, and to
change the date by which the Council shall adopt the annual budget from May 31
to June 15 each year.
Question C - FAILED
County Manager Residency
To amend the Dorchester County Charter to remove the requirement that the
County Manager be a resident of Dorchester County.
Question D - PASSED
County Manager Responsibilities
To amend the Dorchester County Charter to clarify certain responsibilities of the
County Manager, including the day-to-day operation of the County government,
and establish procedures for certain vacancies.
Question E - FAILED
Director of Finance Residency
To amend the Dorchester County Charter to remove the requirement that the
Director of Finance be a resident of Dorchester County.
Question F - PASSED
Governmental Transparency
To amend the Dorchester County Charter to ensure transparency of governmental
functions, access to open meetings (in person or remotely) and access to public
records.
