Compensation Commission for Elected Officials

Baltimore City Charter art. VII, div. Compensation Commission for Elected Officials

in effect

Baltimore City Charter, Article VII, § 117 Definitions.

§ 117. Definitions. (a) In general. In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated. (b) Commission. “Commission” means the Compensation Commission for Elected Officials. (c) Compensation. “Compensation” means all salary and allowances paid to an elected official. (d) Elected official. “Elected official” means: (1) the Mayor; (2) the City Comptroller; (3) the President of the City Council; and (4) the Members of the City Council. (Res. 05-009, ratified Nov. 7, 2006.)

Baltimore City Charter, Article VII, § 118 Commission established.

§ 118. Commission established. There is a Compensation Commission for Elected Officials. (Res. 05-009, ratified Nov. 7, 2006.)

Baltimore City Charter, Article VII, § 119 Composition; Qualifications; Term.

§ 119. Composition; Qualifications; Term. (a) Composition. The Commission comprises the following 7 members: (1) 3 members appointed by the Mayor in accordance with Article IV, § 6 of this Charter; (2) 1 member appointed by the City Comptroller, subject to confirmation by the City Council in the same manner as provided in Article IV, § 6 of this Charter for appointments by the Mayor; and (3) 3 members appointed by the President of the City Council, subject to confirmation by the City Council in the same manner as provided in Article IV, § 6 of this Charter for appointments by the Mayor. (b) City officials, employees ineligible. No official or employee of the City may be appointed to or serve on the Commission. (c) Term. (1) A member of the Commission serves for a term of 4 years, beginning October 1 of the second year preceding the mayoral general election, and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. (2) Members of the Commission are eligible for reappointment. (Res. 05-009, ratified Nov. 7, 2006.)

Baltimore City Charter, Article VII, § 120 Compensation; Expenses.

§ 120. Compensation; Expenses. Members of the Commission: (1) serve without compensation; but (2) are entitled to reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred, as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates. (Res. 05-009, ratified Nov. 7, 2006.)

Baltimore City Charter, Article VII, § 121 Officers.

§ 121. Officers. (a) Chair. The Commission shall elect a chair from among its members. (b) Others. The Commission may elect a Vice-Chair and other officers from among its members. (Res. 05-009, ratified Nov. 7, 2006.)

Baltimore City Charter, Article VII, § 122 Meetings.

§ 122. Meetings. (a) Quorum. 5 members of the Commission constitute a quorum. (b) Votes for action. (1) An affirmative vote of at least 4 members is needed for any action by the Commission. (2) The Commission’s records must show how each member voted on each question. (c) Open Meetings. All meetings of the Commission must be conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act, State Government Article Title 10, Subtitle 5 {now Title 3 of the State General Provisions Article}. (Res. 05-009, ratified Nov. 7, 2006.)

Baltimore City Charter, Article VII, § 123 Commission recommendations.

§ 123. Commission recommendations. The Commission shall: (1) evaluate the compensation of all elected officials; and (2) recommend that, for the next term of office, the compensation be increased, decreased, or remain unchanged. (Res. 05-009, ratified Nov. 7, 2006.)

Baltimore City Charter, Article VII, § 124 Submission to Council.

§ 124. Submission to Council. (a) When required. The Commission shall submit to the President of the City Council its recommendations on or before October 1 of the year preceding the mayoral general election. (b) If change proposed. If the Commission recommends one or more changes in compensation, the President of the City Council shall cause all of the recommendations to be introduced at the next meeting of the City Council as a proposed Resolution of the Mayor and City Council. (c) If no change proposed. If the Commission recommends no change in any elected official’s compensation, or fails to submit a timely recommendation, no Resolution is to be introduced and the compensation to be paid elected officials remains unchanged. (Res. 05-009, ratified Nov. 7, 2006.)

Baltimore City Charter, Article VII, § 125 Council action.

§ 125. Council action. (a) Amendment not authorized. The Council may not amend the Resolution to change or affect any recommended compensation. (b) Rejection by Council. If, by a majority vote of all members, the City Council affirmatively rejects the Resolution on or before December 15 of the year preceding the mayoral general election, the compensation to be paid elected officials remains unchanged. (c) Adoption by Council. If the Resolution is adopted on or before December 15 of the year preceding the mayoral general election, or if the City Council fails to adopt or reject the Resolution on or before that date, the compensation recommended by the Commission will apply, effective at the beginning of the next term of office. (Res. 05-009, ratified Nov. 7, 2006.)

Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/charter/VII/compensation-commission-for-elected-officialsFetched: 10/25/2026