# Chapter 17 – Officers and Employees; Records

Current through 2024. Source: DLR publication. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## Rule 17-1 Selection

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 17-1 (2026)

(a) By President.

  (1) In general. The President appoints all employees of the Office of the President.

  (2) Functions of the Office that may be assigned. The President shall assign the functions listed below to an employee of their Office, as provided for in paragraph (1) of this subsection, or the Office of Council Services.

    (i) keeps the files of the City Council and all official papers and other materials belonging to the Council;

    (ii) places appropriate endorsements on all bills and other papers presented to the Council; (iii)keeps a proper record of the progress of all matters in the Council;

    (iv) keeps indexed records of all bills and other matters introduced or present to the Council;

    (v) maintains all bill files; and

    (vi) maintains the legislative public information portal.

  (3) Roles that may be assigned. The President may assign the roles and related functions described in:

    (i) Rule 17-4 {“Journal Clerk”};

    (ii) Rule 17-5 {“Reading Clerk”}; (iii)Rule 17-6 {“Sergeant-at-Arms”};

    (iv) Rule 17-7 {“Committee clerks”}; and

    (v) Rule 17-8 {“Secretary of Council”}.

(b) By members. Members appoint employees as staff of their offices.

## Rule 17-2 Supervision

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 17-2 (2026)

All employees of the City Council are under the control and direction of the President or the President’s designee.

## Rule 17-4 Journal Clerk

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 17-4 (2026)

The Journal Clerk:

(1) prepares and compiles the minutes of the Council’s proceedings; and

(2) performs all other duties that these Rules or the President directs.

## Rule 17-5 Reading Clerk

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 17-5 (2026)

The Reading Clerk:

(1) calls the roll when the President directs;

(2) reads to the Council those bills and other papers the President specifies;

(3) performs similar duties when the Council is sitting as a Committee of the Whole; and

(4) performs all other duties that these Rules or the President directs.

## Rule 17-6 Sergeant-at-Arms

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 17-6 (2026)

(a) In general. The Sergeant-at-Arms:

  (1) attends the City Council while it is in session;

  (2) under the direction of the President, aids in the enforcement of order;

  (3) executes the commands of the City Council;

  (4) enforces all process issued under the authority of the City Council; and

  (5) performs all other duties that these Rules or the President directs.

(b) Protecting seats. The Sergeant-at-Arms may not permit anyone but Councilmembers to occupy the members’ seats while the Council is meeting.

(c) Mace. When executing their duties, the Sergeant-at-arms may bear the symbol of the office, the mace.

## Rule 17-7 Committee clerks

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 17-7 (2026)

Committee clerks:

(1) attend meetings of the various committees; and

(2) perform all other duties the committee chair or the President directs.

## Rule 17-8 Secretary of Council

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 17-8 (2026)

The Secretary of the City Council:

(1) maintains files of all bills, together with all correspondence, plats, and other documents relating to them; and

(2) performs all other duties that these Rules or the President directs.

## Rule 17-9 General duties of personnel

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 17-9 (2026)

(a) Presidential assignments. The President may assign or reassign all clerks, officers, and employees of the City Council from one position to another as the need requires.

(b) Diligence required. All clerks, officers, and employees shall:

  (1) be prompt in their attendance of City Council meetings; and

  (2) unless specifically excused, remain at their assigned posts throughout a meeting.

## Rule 17-10 Records

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 17-10 (2026)

(a) Public inspection. Except only as specifically provided by law, all files kept by the City Council are open to public inspection.

(b) Copies.

  (1) The Secretary of the Council or the Department of Legislative Reference shall provide copies of all public records to those who request them.

  (2) A reasonable charge, as set by the President, may be imposed for this service.

(c) Removal prohibited. No person, including a Councilmember, may take from the Council’s files any bill or other document that belongs to the Council without the express consent of the President or the President’s designee.