446/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, Wicomico and Talbot
only have no elected County Executive. The exec-
utive authority of both these counties is vested in
the County Council in executive session.

County Council: Members are elected by the vot-
ers 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)).

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 appointed by the County Council for three-
year terms (Code 1957, Art. 23A, sec. 5(U)).

Director of Administration: In Anne Arundel
County the County Executive makes the appoint-
ment. In Wicomico and Talbot counties it is by
the County Council. In all other counties the
County Executive makes the appointment subject
to Council approval. In Talbot County the Coun-
ty Manager is the chief administrative officer and
is appointed by the Council.

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
Executive with the approval of the County Coun-
cil. In Wicomico County the Administrative Di-

County Attorney: In Anne Arundel, Harford, and
Howard counties the Attorney is appointed by
the County Executive. In Montgomery and
Prince George's counties the County Executive
appoints the Attorney subject to Council confir-
mation. In Wicomico and Talbot counties the At-
torney is appointed by the Council.

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 Wicomico
County the Administrative Director makes the
designation. In Talbot County the County Engi-
neer performs the functions of the position.

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 makes the appointments, and
in Wicomico County they are made by the Coun-
cil in executive session. In Talbot County the
Manager performs that function.

B. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND
CODE HOME RULE COUNTIES

Board of County Commissioners: Members are
elected by the voters for four-year terms. The
number of Commissioners 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 the 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).