The following is an update from the desk of Councilman David Marks.

In the upcoming general election, voters will be asked to support or turn down three changes to our charter, which provides the framework for governing Baltimore County.

Question A would expand the Baltimore County Council by two seats, from seven to nine members, and stipulate that Councilmembers are full-time positions for the purpose of compensation. I have regularly shared updates about the deliberations that led to the Council placing this measure on the ballot.

I supported the measure, in part, because I believed that the map that accompanied the legislation provided for competition between the two political parties and met the requirements for fair elections. Additionally, the ballot measure advances redistricting reform in Baltimore County. Even if you do not like the thought of adding two more seats to the Baltimore County Council, it is vitally important that we have a fair system that lacks the gerrymandering our state legislators have supported in Annapolis. I recommend a vote in favor of Question A.

Question B codifies the position of the Baltimore County Inspector General in the charter. I strongly support Question B. I was an early supporter of the creation of an Inspector General to identify waste, fraud, and abuse in Baltimore County. This office should be codified in our governing charter to ensure it is a permanent position.

I also support Question C, which is the result of legislation I sponsored. Question C would require confirmation of all members of the Planning Board by the Baltimore County Council, and create term limits for all those members. The Planning Board is an advisory panel that examines zoning, land use, and capital budget issues in Baltimore County. Too often, members of this body have acted–in my opinion–in a manner that ignores good government and public input. Any nominee for the Planning Board should be confirmed by the County Council, which allows for the public to review and comment on their qualifications and temperament at two work sessions. Please support Question C.

Please contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions on these and other ballot questions.

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