Washington County, Maryland

Hagerstown Government

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Form of Government: Council-Administrator

Hagerstown uses a Council-Administrator form of government. This structure separates the legislative/policy-making functions from the day-to-day administrative duties.

Office	Role and Responsibility	Term Length
Mayor	Chief Executive Officer and ceremonial head of the city. Responsible for implementing City policies, laws, and resolutions set by the Council.	Four years
City Council	Legislative Body of the city, responsible for creating and enacting all ordinances and resolutions. They represent the citizens and set the major policies for the city.	Four years
City Administrator	Chief Administrative Officer of the city. This position is appointed by the Mayor and Council. The Administrator is responsible for the daily management and supervision of all City departments and employees.	Appointed

Details on the City Council

Composition: The City Council consists of five Councilmembers.
Election: All members are elected “at large,” meaning they represent the entire city rather than a specific geographic ward.
Powers: The Council holds the ultimate legislative power, acting only through ordinances, resolutions, or motions.

Citizen Participation

Hagerstown’s government structure emphasizes public access and citizen input:

Public Meetings: The Mayor and City Council hold regular public meetings.
Citizen Comments: During Regular Sessions and Public Hearings, a specific time is set aside for citizens to address the Council on any concerns, ensuring a direct line of communication between residents and their elected officials.
Boards & Commissions: The City relies on numerous citizen-led boards and commissions (like the Planning Commission, Historic District Commission, and Board of Zoning Appeals) to provide expertise and advisory recommendations to the Mayor and Council.

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