FY 25 Harford County Government Proposed Operating Budget

LAW

ORIGIN/PURPOSE: The Department of Law, created by Charter Section 403 and amended by Bill 76-35, is administered by the appointed County Attorney, who is the chief legal ofcer of the Executive Branch and is responsible for all the legal afairs of the County Executive, County departments, agencies, and ofces. The department also advises non-County agencies, such as the Board of Library Trustees, and the Sherif's Ofce on selected matters, as directed by the County Executive. The Risk Management Division, established by Bill No. 88-6 is now a division of the Law Department pursuant to Executive Order 14-08. Duties include managing claims pertaining to property and vehicle damage and general liability claims. Working in concert with the Law Department, information is shared concerning County responsibility for accidental occurrences. The self-insurance fund, which is actuarial determined annually, is the monetary source by which all claims are paid. The fnancial welfare of the County is further protected by the purchase of an excess insurance contract that can be triggered and the fnancial obligation is then transferred and paid by that entity. The Division of Property Management has been moved from Procurement to Law and is responsible for property acquisition, property appraisals, contract negotiations with property owners, condemnation and surplus property. MISSION STATEMENT: PROVIDE TIMELY AND ACCURATE ADVICE, AS WELL AS COMPETENT AND DILIGENT REPRESENTATION TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND COUNTY AGENCIES IN SUPPORT OF THEIR OBJECTIVE. FY 25 GOALS: TO PROVIDE SOUND LEGAL AND PRACTICAL ADVICE AND COUNSEL TO CLIENT AGENCIES TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY IN ADMINISTRATIVE, JUDICIAL AND LEGISLATIVE FORUMS TO PROVIDE EFFICIENT, EXPEDIENT DOCUMENT REVIEW AND PROCESSING FOR CLIENTS TO REMAIN INVOLVED PROACTIVELY AS A MANAGEMENT RESOURCE TO SUPPORT LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES TO ADVANCE THE COUNTY'S GOALS AND OBJECTIVES TO MINIMIZE THE COUNTY'S EXPOSURE FOR FINANCIAL LOSS

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