Montgomery County Seeks Applicants For Merit System Protection Board

Neil H. Greenberger

Legislative Information Officer

Montgomery County Council

240-777-7939

FOR INFORMATION: Justina Ferber, 240-777-7938 or 240-777-7900

justina.ferber@montgomerycountymd.gov

Montgomery County Seeks Applicants

For Merit System Protection Board

Applications Will Be Accepted Through Wednesday, Nov. 4, For Appointment to Three-Year Term That Begins in December

ROCKVILLE, Md., October 13, 2009—The Montgomery County Council is accepting applications from qualified voters of the County for appointment to a three-year term on the Merit System Protection Board. Generally, the board is expected to oversee the Merit System and to protect employee and applicant rights guaranteed under the County Merit System.

Applications must be received in the Council office by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

The term of board member Bruce E. Wood (Democrat) will expire in December 2009. Mr. Wood has served one full term and has indicated that he will apply for reappointment.

The appointee to this term may be a Democrat, Republican or someone who declines to affiliate with a party. In addition, the appointee may be a member of another party officially recognized by the Board of Elections. By law, no more than two of the three members of the Merit System Protection Board may be of the same political party. Current board members in addition to Mr. Wood are Rodella Berry (Democrat) and Charla Lambertsen (declined to affiliate).

The County Merit System Protection Board's mission is to oversee the Merit System for the protection of employee's and applicant's rights guaranteed under the Merit System. There are two methods in which the board processes appeals:

· A written decision issued after a review and discussion of a written record

· A written decision issued after a pre-hearing conference and a formal hearing in cases involving a suspension, demotion or dismissal

The board, on a periodic basis, conducts special studies, audits or inquiries of the administration of the merit and retirement pay systems and, in this effort, may compel the attendance of witnesses. Written reports of its findings and recommendations are filed with the County Executive and the County Council. The board also provides comments on any proposed changes in Merit System law or regulations.

The board holds hearings during the day, which can take the full day or be scheduled for the evening. Also, the board normally meets for approximately four hours in the evening once every two weeks. Additional time is also required for preparatory work. Members of thr board receive $7,448, which is adjusted annually to reflect 50 percent of the percentage change in the Washington Area Consumer Price Index.

Board members are restricted in political activity while serving. Section 403 of the County Charter states in part "... No member shall hold political office or participate in any campaign for any political or public office during the member's term of office." Members of County boards, committees and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time.

Letters of application are made public as part of the appointment process. Letters expressing interest, including a resume listing professional and civic experience, should be addressed to: Council President Phil Andrews, Montgomery County Council, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850.

For more information on the Merit System Protection Board appointment, call 240-777-7938 or 240-777-7900.