§ 403. County administrative officer.

(a)

Qualifications; mode of selection; salary. The county administrative officer shall be appointed solely on the basis of his integrity and his executive and administrative qualifications for the performance of the duties of his office as hereinafter set forth. He shall have had, prior to his appointment, at least five years' experience as an executive either in public service or private business, or both. He shall also be thoroughly familiar with modern accounting methods and budget procedures. At the time of his appointment, he may, but need not, be a resident of Baltimore County or of the State of Maryland, but during his tenure of office he shall at all times reside within the county. He shall devote his full time to the duties of his office, and shall be paid an annual salary pursuant to Section 405 of this Charter. (Bill No. 80, 1978, § 1) (Approved by voters Nov. 7, 1978; effective Dec. 8, 1978)

(b)

Term of office. The term of office of the county administrative officer shall be four years beginning on the first day of June in the year following the election of a county executive provided in this Charter. The county administrative officer shall continue to hold office until his successor shall qualify.

(c)

Vacancy. A vacancy in the office of county administrative officer shall be filled by appointment for the balance of the unexpired term. Such an appointment shall be made in the same manner and subject to the same qualifications as an original appointment.

(d)

Nature of office and duties. The county administrative officer shall exercise supervision over all activities of those offices and departments for which provision is made in this Charter, and the boards and commissions connected therewith. The county administrative officer shall be responsible directly to the county executive. In addition to and not by way of limitation of the general duties of supervision as above provided, the county administrative officer shall have the following express powers and duties: ( Bill No. 16-18 , § 1; approved by the voters Nov. 6, 2018; effective Dec. 6, 2018)

(1)

To be the chief budget officer of the county and to prepare and submit to the county executive for the county executive's approval and submission to the county council all county budgets, prepared in the manner and form provided in Article VII of this Charter; ( Bill No. 16-18 , § 1; approved by the voters Nov. 6, 2018; effective Dec. 6, 2018)

(2)

To make periodic reports, with such recommendations as the county administrative officer may deem appropriate, to the county executive concerning the affairs of the county government; ( Bill No. 16-18 , § 1; approved by the voters Nov. 6, 2018; effective Dec. 6, 2018)

(3)

To hold periodic staff meetings with the county administrative officer's subordinate officers in the administrative services; ( Bill No. 16-18 , § 1; approved by the voters Nov. 6, 2018; effective Dec. 6, 2018)

(4)

To make any study or investigation which in the county administrative officer's judgment may be in the best interests of the county, including but not limited to the affairs, functions, acts, methods, personnel or efficiency of any department, office or officer under the county administrative officer's jurisdiction; ( Bill No. 16-18 , § 1; approved by the voters Nov. 6, 2018; effective Dec. 6, 2018)

(5)

To perform such other administrative duties as may be delegated to the county administrative officer by the county executive; ( Bill No. 16-18 , § 1; approved by the voters Nov. 6, 2018; effective Dec. 6, 2018)

(6)

To do and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this Charter or required by ordinance or resolution of the county council or as may be necessarily implied by the powers and duties herein specified. (Bill No. 58, 1976, § 2, approved by voters Nov. 2, 1976, effective Dec. 2, 1976; Bill No. 73-02, 2002, § 2, approved by voters Nov. 5, 2002, effective Dec. 5, 2002)

  Annotation— This section cited in Kone v. Baltimore County, 231 Md. 466, 190 A.2d 800 (1963).