494/Maryland Manual

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS,
BOARDS, AND COMMISSIONS

A. CHARTER COUNTIES

County Executive: Elected by the voters for a
four-year term (Const. 1867, Art. XI-A, sec. 3).
Of the charter counties, only Talbot and
Wicomico have no elected County Executive. The
executive authority of both these counties is vest-
ed in the County Council in executive session.

County Council: Elected by the voters for four-
year terms. All presiding officers are chosen by
the County Council itself, except in Harford
County, where they are chosen by the voters
(Const. 1867, Art. XI-A, sec. 3; Code 1957, Art.
25A, secs. 2-3).

Secretary to County Council: Appointed by the
Council for an indefinite term. In Prince George's
County the position is called the Clerk to the
County Council (Code 1957, Art. 25A, sec. 5(0)).

Director of Administration: Appointed by the
County Executive, subject to Council approval,
except in Anne Arundel, Talbot, and Wicomico
counties. In Anne Arundel only the County Exec-
utive makes the appointment. In Talbot the
County Manager is the chief administrative offi-
cer and is appointed by the Council. In Wicomico
the County Council appoints the Director.

Director of Finance: In Anne Arundel County the
position is called the Controller and the appoint-
ment is made by the Director of Administration.
In Baltimore County the Director of Finance is
appointed by the County Administrative Officer
with the consent of the County Executive. In
Howard County the Director is appointed by the
County Executive. In Montgomery and Prince
George's counties appointment is made by the
County Executive with the approval of the Coun-
ty Council. In Talbot County the County Manag-
er performs the duties of the position. In
Wicomico County the Administrative Director
appoints the Director of Finance subject to
County Council confirmation .

County Attorney: In Anne Arundel, Harford,
Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George's
counties the Attorney is appointed by the County
Executive. In Montgomery and Prince George's
counties the appointment is subject to Council
confirmation. In Talbot and Wicomico counties
the Attorney is appointed by the Council.

Board of Appeals: In charter counties, members
are appointed by the County Council to serve

such terms as may be provided in the county
charter. In Anne Arundel County the Board con-
sists of five members who serve four-year terms.
In Baltimore County the Board has three mem-
bers and two alternate members who serve for
three years. In Howard County the Board has
three members who serve for three years. In
Montgomery County terms are for three years. In
Talbot County the Board consists of five mem-
bers who serve three-year terms (Code 1957, Art.
25A, sec. 5(U)).

Director of the Department of Public Works: In
Anne Arundel, Harford, and Howard counties,
the Director is appointed by the County Execu-
tive. In Baltimore County appointment is made
by the County Administrative Officer with the
consent of the County Executive. In Montgomery
and Prince George's counties the County Execu-
tive appoints with Council approval. In Talbot
County the County Engineer performs the func-
tions of the position. In Wicomico County the
Administrative Director appoints the Public
Works Director.

Personnel Board: In Anne Arundel County the
Board is appointed by the Director of Adminis-
tration. In Baltimore County it is appointed by
the County Executive and in Harford, Howard,
and Prince George's counties by the Executive
with Council confirmation. In Montgomery
County the Council appoints the Board. In Tal-
bot County the County Manager performs the
functions of the Board. In Wicomico County the
Council appoints the Board in executive session.

B. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND
CODE HOME RULE COUNTIES

Board of County Commissioners: Elected by the
voters for four-year terms. The number of Com-
missioners for each county varies (Const. 1867,
Arts. VII, XVII; Code 1957, Art. 25).

Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners:
Appointed by the Board of County Commission-
ers. In Dorchester and Frederick counties, the of-
fice is known as Administrative Assistant to the
Board of County Commissioners (Chapter 63,
Acts of 1972; Code 1957, Art. 25, sec. 1).

Attorney to the Board of County Commissioners:
Appointed by the Board of County Commission-
ers (Code 1957, Art. 25, sec. 1).

County Treasurer: Elected by the voters for a
four-year term (Const. 1867, Art. XVII; Code
1957, Art. 25, secs. 51, 51-A).