514 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 205

ensuing fiscal year, classified in such form and containing such
other information as the County Commissioners shall require
from time to time. Such estimate shall be submitted under
the oath of the official in charge of such agency that such
estimate and the matters and facts contained therein are true
and correct to the best of his knowledge, information and
belief. Whenever referred to in this Act, "county agency"
shall include the Board of County Commissioners and any
officer, department, commission, board, bureau or other agency
of the county and any institution receiving any appropriation
from county funds.

52. (a) Before [November] May 1st, in each year, the
County Commissioners shall prepare a proposed budget con-
taining the [following] items enumerated hereinbelow:

[(a)] (b) A fully itemized and detailed statement, in com-
parative form, of the aforesaid itemized amounts requested by
each county agency, the amounts appropriated for the current
fiscal year for each such agency, and the appropriation recom-
mended for each such agency by the County Commissioners for
the ensuing year.

[(b] (c) A detailed statement in comparative form showing
for the current and ensuing years, all anticipated county re-
ceipts, except those from current taxes, and the total assess-
able basis, together with the rates for the current year for
general and special taxes and assessments, and the estimated
rates required by the recommended appropriations.

[(c)] (d) The total amount of county funds to be expended
for all purposes during the next ensuing fiscal year classified
in detail as to object, items and amounts for each county
agency, under one of the following four schedules as may be
appropriate:

(1) "Debt Service", which shall consist of all payments of
principal and interest to be made during the year on the
various debts of St. Mary's County;

(2) "Current Expenses", which shall consist of all govern-
mental operating expenses and all other ordinary or recurring
expenditures, except debt service;

(3) "Capital Improvements", which shall consist of all ex-
penditures for land, labor, materials, and construction not in-
cluded in the first two schedules.

53. (a) In each year the County Commissioners, prior to
adoption of the budget, shall, after public notice, hold a public
hearing on the proposed budget. Public notice of the time and
place of said hearing shall be given by publication once a week
for two successive weeks in two newspapers of different politi-