15 legislators are assigned to 7 committees, 2 subcommittees
By Andrew Harris,
The work of serving as a county legislator goes well beyond casting votes for “yay” or “nay.” The Chairman of the Legislature, currently W. Brooke Harris from District 5, decides which legislators will serve on the various committees dedicated to different sectors of county government. Assignments are at the discretion of the Chair but are made based on the background and experience of the legislator.
The legislative process depends on the committee system to function as a deliberative body. For example, if Sheriff Cicirello needs to create a new position in his department, that request goes to the Public Safety Committee. That committee reviews the request, debates the merits, hears directly from the Sheriff, and decides to approve and move the request forward, or not. The committee can also “table” the request without a decision to be revisited at future meetings. Once approved the request goes to the next step, the Ways and Means committee. This powerful committee receives approved requests from the designated committee and determines how the request will be paid for. While some requests are already budgeted for, others need to be “reappropriated,” in order to be funded. The Ways and Means committee must approve the request before it goes to the full legislature for a vote.
With two new members having been appointed in 2025, Charles Bessette from District 3 and Kevin LaForge from District 4, committee assignments have been updated.
2025 ALLEGANY COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS STANDING COMMITTEES
- HUMAN SERVICES:
Chairman: Burdick Vice Chairman: Ricketts-Swales
Committee Members: Barnes, Bessette, Hanchett, Healy, Root
- PERSONNEL:
Chairman: Ricketts-Swales Vice Chairman: Ricci
Committee Members: Bessette, Burdick, Hanchett, Havey, LaForge, Root
Special – Negotiations Liaison Committee (Sub-Committee of Personnel)
Chairman: Ricci
- PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
Chairman: Root Vice Chairman: Hanchett
Committee Members: Barnes, Curran, Havey, Healy, Ricci, Ricketts-Swales
- PUBLIC SAFETY:
Chairman: Havey Vice Chairman: Stockin
Committee Members: Barnes, Bessette, Demick, Healy, Ricketts-Swales
- PUBLIC WORKS:
Chairman: Fanton Vice Chairman: Demick
Committee Members: Barnes, Curran, Healy, LaForge, Stockin
Special – Space Needs Committee (Sub-Committee of Public Works)
Chairman: Demick Vice Chairman: Healy
Committee Members: Fanton, Hanchett, Havey, LaForge, Root
- RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Chairman: Curran Vice Chairman: Hanchett
Committee Members: Barnes, Demick, Fanton, LaForge, Ricketts-Swales
- WAYS & MEANS:
Chairman: Stockin Vice Chairman: Fanton
Committee Members: Burdick, Demick, Havey, Healy, Ricci, Root
Special – Budget Committee (Sub-Committee of Ways & Means)
Chairman: Burdick Vice Chairman: Barnes
Committee Members: Curran, Fanton, LaForge, Ricci, Stockin
