Five resolutions introduced Monday night would give the Anne Arundel County Council more say over the committees and decisions made by the county executive.
Councilman Jamie Benoit, D-District 4, put forward four resolutions that would:
– require any ordinance that goes unsigned by the county executive within 10 days of the council?s approval to automatically become law.
– allow the council to pick three of the seven members of the county?s Ethics Commission, whose members are currently picked by the county executive and approved by the council. Some members of the council, most notably Chairwoman Cathy Vitale, R-District 5, have been at odds with the commission.
– create a legislative counselor for the council who would draft legislation and provide legal advice to the council. Such duties are currently done by the county?s law office, which is controlled by the county executive.
– require the county executive to seek the council?s approval to move more than $50,000 in budgeted funds within a department. The county executive only has to seek the council?s approval to move funds between departments.
Councilman Josh Cohen, D-District 6, introduced a resolution that would allow the council to pick four of the seven members of the Planning Advisory Board.
If approved, the council would have majority control over the group that advises the county executive and the planning and zoning officer on matters such as zoning and impact fee changes.
The resolutions are charter amendments, and if approved would put the question on the ballot for the voters to decide in November?s election.
