FREDERICK, Md. (AP) - The elected leaders of Frederick County are listening to what citizens have to say about a disputed ordinance requiring that county business be conducted in English.
A bill to repeal the ordinance gets a public hearing Tuesday night in Frederick.
The measure was enacted in 2012 by an all-Republican county board. The current County Council is composed of four Republicans and three Democrats.
Democratic members Jessica Fitzwater and M.C. Keegan-Ayer say the ordinance sends a message of intolerance to recent immigrants and businesses with international employees.
Republican member Billy Shreve says it's a fiscal issue. He says the county saves money on translators and interpreters by having English as its official language.
Republican Council President Bud Otis says the ordinance sends a message that Frederick is not a welcoming county.
