In 2010, voters in Cumberland County approved a first-ever charter for the county (PDF).
The charter was drafted over the course of 2 years by a charter commission created in 2008 that had 6 members elected by the public and 3 members appointed by the County Commissioners. There were previous unsuccessful attempts to create a charter in Cumberland County in 1982 and 2003. Read more about the history of the charter.
What Is a Charter?
A charter is the defining document of how a body of government:
- Organizes itself
- Selects officers, officials and employees
- Establishes departments, agencies and boards
In addition to Cumberland County, Aroostook and Knox counties also have charters. A charter commission creates the opportunity to inspect and propose changes to the current structure.