Charter Review Commission recommends term limits, manager responsibilities and other Charter changes

The Charter Review Commission presented recommended changes to the Dorchester County Charter during the March 5 council meeting, urging clarifications to the county manager's responsibilities and a set of administrative and transparency updates.

William Layton, chairman of the Charter Review Commission, outlined recommendations that include: defining the county manager as the only official authorized to direct county employees; removing residency requirements for the county manager and director of finance; requiring the administrative review within the first fiscal year of a new council; moving the budget submission date to no later than May 15 and budget adoption no later than June 15; adding transparency language for disseminating meeting information; and adding a three consecutive four‑year term limit for council members beginning with the 2026 council.

County Attorney Charles MacLeod explained procedural steps if the council elects to place recommendations on the November 2024 ballot: each recommendation must be adopted as a separate resolution, the attorney will draft ballot language, and the State Board of Elections deadline is the third Thursday in August. The council agreed to hold an open comment period at its March 19 meeting to receive public input on the proposed Charter changes.

Council members noted differing views on term limits: Councilman Detmer called them a "double‑edged sword," while Councilman Nichols said he opposed term limits. Commission members said recommendations were intended to present options for voters, not to bind the council.