FY 24 APPROVED OPERATING BUDGET

AN OVERVIEW OF HARFORD COUNTY, MARYLAND

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Under Harford County’s Charter, Article III, a County Executive shall be nominated and elected by the qualified voters of the entire County, and be vested all executive power in Harford County by the Constitution and laws of Maryland and the County Charter. The County Executive’s duties include, but are not limited to: ◦ Preparing and submitting to the Council the annual County budget; ◦ Preparing and submitting to the Council and the public, within four months after the close of the fiscal year, an annual report on the activities and accomplishments of the County government, including a detailed financial statement; ◦ Providing the Council with any information concerning the Executive Branch which the Council may require for the exercise of its powers; ◦ Recommending to the Council such measures for legislative action as may be deemed to be in the best interests of the County; ◦ Insuring that County funds in excess of those required for immediate needs are invested in the best interests of the County; ◦ Signing or causing to be signed on the County’s behalf all deeds, contracts, and other instruments; and ◦ Seeing that the affairs of the Executive Branch are properly and efficiently administered, and that employees of the Executive Branch faithfully perform their duties. The County Executive serves for a four year term, with a two consecutive term limit; shall have been a resident and a qualified voter of the County for at least five years immediately preceding the election; and at the time of election shall be at least 25 years old. In the event of a temporary absence or disability of the County Executive, the Director of Administration shall perform the duties of the County Executive. Under Harford County’s Charter, Article III, Sections 310 and 312, the County Executive is charged with appointing a Director of Administration, subject to confirmation by the Council. The Director of Administration serves at the pleasure of the County Executive, performs administrative duties and exercises general supervision over the agencies of the Executive Branch as the County Executive directs. In the event of a temporary absence or disability of the County Executive, the Director of Administration shall perform the duties of the County Executive. The Director of Administration also serves as the County’s budget officer, and is responsible for causing to be prepared and submitted to the County Executive, for approval and submission to the Council, all County budgets. The Director of Administration is also charged to study the organization, methods, and procedures of each agency of the County government and submit to the County Executive periodic reports on their efficiency and economy. The Director of Administration is the County’s Hearing Officer on appeals to the decisions of department heads on the application of County rules and regulations. Both Charter provisions and Executive Orders have resulted in the creation of various divisions under the purview of the Director of Administration: DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION

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