In this subtitle, “Commission” means the Allegany County Salary Study Commission.

There is an Allegany County Salary Study Commission.

Subject to subsection (c) of this section, the Commission consists of the following members: one member from the Democratic Central Committee of Allegany County; one member from the Republican Central Committee of Allegany County; one member from the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce; one member from the Allegany–Garrett Counties Fire and Rescue Association, from Allegany County; one member from the Allegany County Farm Bureau; one member from the League of Women Voters of Allegany County; and one member from the Western Maryland Central Labor Council. On or before July 14, 2016, and on or before July 14 each fourth year thereafter, the County Commissioners of Allegany County shall request that each organization listed in subsection (a) of this section recommend an appointee to the county commissioners on or before the following August 1. The County Commissioners of Allegany County shall appoint the individual recommended by each organization listed in subsection (a) of this section. If any organization fails to make a recommendation to the county commissioners on or before August 1, the county commissioners shall appoint a substitute public member to the Commission to serve through the following January 30. A member of the Commission appointed under paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection may not be: an Allegany County official or employee; or an official or employee of any office studied by the Commission. The county commissioners shall make their appointments to the Commission final on or before September 29 of the year of the recommendations under subsection (b) of this section.

From among its members, the Commission shall elect a chair.

Five members of the Commission are a quorum. The Commission shall meet on or before the December 31 immediately following appointment. A member of the Commission: may not receive compensation as a member of the Commission; but is entitled to reimbursement for expenses as authorized by the County Commissioners of Allegany County.

The Commission shall study the salaries of: the County Commissioners of Allegany County; the Allegany County Board of Education; the Allegany County Board of License Commissioners; the Allegany County Board of Elections; the judges of the Orphans’ Court for Allegany County; and the Sheriff of Allegany County. On or before January 29 of the year following appointment, the Commission shall make recommendations to the County Commissioners of Allegany County regarding salaries of the offices listed in subsection (a) of this section. Before the Commission submits its recommendations as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Commission shall meet with each individual who holds an office listed in subsection (a) of this section to: acquaint the Commission with the duties and responsibilities of those public officials; obtain any additional information that the Commission believes would be helpful to complete its work; and provide an opportunity for the public officials to express their opinions about the appropriate compensation for the offices.

Subject to subsection (b) of this section and Article III, § 35 of the Maryland Constitution, the County Commissioners of Allegany County, by local law, shall set the salary for each office included in the recommendations. The County Commissioners of Allegany County may accept, reduce, or reject, but may not increase, the recommendations of the Commission.