The provisions of this Article relate to the transition from
the existing commissioner form of government to the form of government
provided by this Charter. Whenever the provisions of this Article
are inconsistent with the previous provisions of this Charter, the
provisions of this Article shall constitute exceptions to those previous
Articles.
This Charter shall become effective on the thirtieth calendar
day following the adoption of this Charter.
Except as expressly provided in this Article, all the provisions
of Articles 1 through 7, inclusive, of this Charter shall be operative
on the effective date of this Charter.
All references in the Constitution and laws of the State of
Maryland to the Dorchester County Commissioners shall be construed,
at such time as this Charter becomes effective, to refer to the Council
whenever the construction would be reasonable.
The members of all boards and commissions holding office at
the effective date of this Charter shall continue to hold the same
or corresponding office until completion of their terms of office,
unless removed in accordance with the provisions of this Charter.
At the effective date of this Charter the Office of County Commissioner
shall cease to exist in the County.
The County Commissioners in office immediately prior to the
effective date of this Charter shall become councilmembers at the
effective date of this Charter. Together they shall exercise all of
the powers provided to the Council under this Charter.
The terms of office for members of the first Council shall commence
on the effective date of this Charter and shall expire at such times
as their successors, elected at the next quadrennial election as provided
in this Charter, shall qualify for office.
The salary provided to each of the County Commissioners immediately
prior to the effective date of this Charter shall be the salary provided
to each councilmember, respectively.
All powers and duties imposed by law upon the Treasurer of the
County shall continue to be exercised and performed by the Treasurer
until the first Tuesday in December 2006;thereafter the Office of
the Treasurer shall stand abolished and all powers and duties of the
Treasurer shall be performed by the Director of Finance. All references
to the Treasurer in any law, ordinance, rule or regulation shall,
after the abolition of the Office of Treasurer, be construed to refer
to the Director of Finance whenever such construction would be reasonable.