New financial disclosure rules and a lack of interest could make this year’s Chevy Chase Village Annual Meeting historic.
On April 15 at 7:30 p.m., the Village’s Board of Managers will adopt its fiscal 14 budget, set real estate and property tax rates and receive committee reports on a number of topics in the 0.5-square mile town of nearly 2,000 bordering the D.C. line.
But if the seven-member Board can’t get six residents for its vacant spots (due to two resignations last year and its May election) the Annual Meeting might also see changes in the make-up of the town’s government.
The Village said it could be looking at rewriting its charter to shrink the Board to five people. It’s unknown how many of the remaining Board members whose seats are up for election in May intend to stay on.
The Village twice unsuccessfully attempted for a state exemption from new ethics rules that require elected municipal leaders to file extensive financial disclosure documents. The Village argued it should be exempt because of its small size.
The Annual Meeting is an excellent opportunity to get caught-up on issues affecting the Village. Residents who have moved into the Village during the past year are especially encouraged to attend to see their Village government in action, and to meet Village Committee/Commission members and elected officials.
The Elections Committee will announce candidates for the Board at the Meeting. The Village is hoping enough people are interested and it’s holding a meeting to explain the new financial disclosure rules at 7:30 p.m. on April 3 at the Village Hall (5906 Connecticut Ave.) in an effort to encourage participation.
