FY 23 Approved Budget Book

AN OVERVIEW OF HARFORD COUNTY, MARYLAND

Both Charter provisions and Executive Orders have resulted in the creation of various divisions under the purview of the Director of Administration: The divisions of Facilities & Operations, Central Services, and Budget & Efficiency provide support services to all County government departments and agencies. Each division’s supervisor reports directly to the Director of Administration.

AGENCIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Charter Section 313 calls for the County Executive to appoint a single officer to head each agency of the Executive Branch, as well as the members of all boards and commissions, subject to confirmation by the Council, and who serve at the discretion of the Executive. Section 402 requires that “In the Executive Branch of the County government there shall be a Department of Law, a Department of the Treasury, a Department of Planning and Zoning, a Planning Advisory Board, a Department of Public Works, a Public Works Advisory Board, a Department of Parks and Recreation, a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, a Human Relations Commission, a Personnel Advisory Board, a Department of Procurement, and any other agencies established by law.” The Charter then defines the qualifications for and duties of the department heads and board members. The Executive Branch, per Charter Section 402, is also comprised of, “…any other agencies established by law.” Subsequent Charter sections and/or Executive Orders have created: the departments of Human Resources, Community Services, and Inspections, Licenses and Permits, the Housing Agency, Office of Economic Development, Office of Information and Communication Technology, and the Department of Emergency Services.

PUBLIC SAFETY

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

The actual formation of the government for Harford County occurred on March 22, 1774, when Henry Harford, Lord Proprietor of the province, sent his commission to the new County seat at Harford Town or Bush. Thomas Miller was commissioned as the first Sheriff. In 1777, John Taylor became Harford County’s first elected Sheriff. Law enforcement responsibilities within the Sheriff’s Office mirror that of most other police agencies throughout the nation. In Harford County, the Sheriff’s Office has retained the responsibility of being the primary law enforcement agency in the County. Maintaining law and order, investigating crime, apprehending criminals, serving the courts and having responsibility for the custody of prisoners are the responsibilities of the Harford County Sheriff’s Department. The County’s Sheriff is elected to a four-year term with no term limit.

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