In this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BOARD
The Advisory Board of Parks and Recreation.
The County Commissioners may establish an Advisory Board of Parks and Recreation with the powers and duties specified in this article.
A. 
Composition; appointment of members.
(1) 
The Board consists of nine members appointed by the County Commissioners.
(2) 
Of the nine members of the Board:
(a) 
One shall be first recommended by the County Board of Education from its membership or otherwise; and
(b) 
One shall be a County Commissioner.
(3) 
In the appointment of Board members, the County Commissioners shall give due regard to population and geography.
B. 
Tenure; vacancies.
(1) 
Except for the County Commissioner member, the term of a member is three years and begins on January 1.
(2) 
The County Commissioner member may serve for the member's elected term of office as a County Commissioner.
(3) 
At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed.
(4) 
Vacancies, except those at the expiration of a term, shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.
(5) 
A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed.
A. 
Chairman and Vice Chairman and Secretary. Each year, the Board shall select a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary from the Board's membership.
B. 
Secretary. The Board shall select a Secretary who may or may not be a member of the Board.
A. 
Meetings. The Board shall hold the regular and special meetings that the Board considers necessary.
B. 
Compensation prohibited. All members of the Board serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for reasonable travel expenses associated with serving on the Board.
A. 
Annual report. The Board shall submit to the County Commissioners a regular report of the Board's activities, and may recommend further activities and development of the County Parks system and Recreation programs.
B. 
The Board may advocate to the County Commissioners for budget recommendations that may further the goals and objectives of the Department.
A. 
In general. The County Commissioners may employ the personnel that the County Commissioners consider necessary to administer properly the functions of the Department of Parks and Recreation.
B. 
Director of Parks and Recreation.
(1) 
If the County Commissioners employ a Director of Parks and Recreation, the person shall have the training, experience, and capacity to initiate and maintain a public park system and a program of public recreation under the person's general supervision.
(2) 
The Director of Parks and Recreation serves at the pleasure of the County Commissioners.
C. 
Salaries. The County Commissioners shall fix the salaries of all personnel.
A. 
Questions of general policy. The Board shall advise the Department of Parks and Recreation and the County Commissioners on all questions of general policy relating to parks and public recreation in the County. The Board shall furthermore advise the Department of Parks and Recreation as to matters of general policy and direction, and, when appropriate, bring matters of public interest to the attention of the Department and the County Administration. The Department shall endeavor to work cooperatively with the Board whenever possible and in case of dispute, the matter shall be addressed to the County Administrator or Commissioners for settlement.
B. 
Regulations. The Board may recommend to the County Commissioners any regulation necessary to carry out this chapter or to protect the property under its control.
C. 
Expenditure of funds. The Board shall be charged with the responsibility of setting fees and charges for all those properties, programs and activities supervised or controlled by the Department of Parks and Recreation, and these assessments shall be reviewed no less than annually by the Board, subject only to the authority of the County Commissioners to amend or revise such fees and charges in their discretion.
D. 
Appointment of advisory committees. The Board may appoint advisory committees or panels to assist in the exercise of the Board's powers and duties.
A. 
Adoption of program. Subject to budgetary policies and appropriations of the County Commissioners, the Board may recommend or cause to be conducted or directed a comprehensive program of public recreation in schools, parks, or other lands or buildings, either publicly or privately owned.
B. 
The Board may advise as to the development, operation and maintenance of County parks and recreation facilities, subject to § 22-8 above.
C. 
Issuance of permits. The Department may issue permits for the use of any facilities under the control of the Department of Parks and Recreation.
A. 
Agreements. The control of any land, buildings, or other acceptable facilities shall be in accordance with agreements reached between the Department and the person who has jurisdiction over the property.
B. 
Power not limited. The power conferred by this section does not limit the power of the County Commissioners, the Board of Education, any governmental agency, or any person to refuse to allow or to limit the use of any ground, building, or facility under their control, ownership, or jurisdiction.
A. 
Authorized. With the approval of a majority of the members of the Board, the Chairman of the Board may annually appoint committees to collect data and study and make recommendations to the Board on recreation and park issues of particular concern to the Board.
B. 
Reports. A committee may submit reports to the County Planning Commission when the committee's work or observations relate to planning and zoning.
C. 
Appropriations. The County Commissioners may appropriate public funds to implement and support the powers and duties under this section.
The County Commissioners, by and through the Board, may join or cooperate with the federal government, the State of Maryland, any municipality, or other governmental agency in providing, establishing, conducting, and maintaining recreation centers, playgrounds, parks, and other recreation facilities and activities.