Article V. Administrative Organization

Except as otherwise provided in this Charter or in State law, all agencies of the County government shall be subject to the direction, supervision, and control of the County Executive.

All functions and duties of the executive branch shall be allocated among and within such agencies as may be established by law.

The County Executive may propose changes in the organization of the executive branch, including the establishment or abolition of agencies, and in the assignment of functions, powers, and duties among agencies. Reorganization proposals shall be set forth in executive orders in statutory form and be submitted to the Council. Such executive order shall become effective and have the force of law sixty calendar days after submission unless disapproved by majority vote of the full Council.

The County Executive shall appoint a single officer to head each agency of the executive branch, subject to confirmation by the Council as required by Section 322 of this Charter. The County Executive shall appoint the members of all boards and commissions, subject to confirmation by the Council as required by Section 322 of this Charter, unless otherwise prescribed by State law or this Charter. All employees of the executive branch, except those otherwise provided for in this Charter, shall be appointed and removed by the heads of the several agencies of the County government in accordance with the provisions of the County personnel law.

During the temporary absence of the Chief Administrative Officer or the head of an agency of the executive branch, or if such position shall become vacant, the County Executive shall make a temporary appointment to fill such position. No person shall serve as Acting Chief Administrative Officer or acting head of any agency for a period longer than sixty calendar days. Such limit may be extended an additional four calendar months by resolution of the Council. An individual may be temporarily appointed to fill a vacancy, no more than one year, without an intervening permanent appointment.

The Council or the County Executive may appoint, for designated periods, one or more temporary advisory boards of citizens of the County who shall assist in the consideration of County policies and programs.

Except for members of the Personnel Board established by Section 906 of this Charter, the Board of Ethics as established by Section 1001, and except as otherwise provided for by State law, a member of any appointed board or commission may be removed from office by the County Executive.

To the extent permitted by State law and to the extent of their being available within the County government, any agency receiving or disbursing County funds shall be served by, and shall utilize, the services of the County for legal services, budgeting and accounting, receiving and collecting funds, purchasing, data processing, public relations, land acquisition, architecture and engineering, personnel administration, and such other administrative services as the Council may establish by law. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to preclude contracting for professional services in accordance with Article VI of this Charter. In the event the County Attorney determines there is a conflict of interest between the executive and legislative branches on matters requiring legal services and advice, both branches shall engage outside counsel.