1604 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 710

necessary and shall appropriate sufficient funds for the
administration of this sub-paragraph. ]

3. Prescribe the duties, powers and functions of any
officer, employee, or board appointed by it or under its
supervision, and to require any officer or employee to give
bond in such form and penalty as it may prescribe and pay
for such bond out of the general funds of the County.

4. Provide for a County Police Force and shall establish
a system of merit examinations therefor.

[5. Appoint and designate a County Purchasing Agent
for the purchase of supplies, materials and equipment for
all County Departments and offices. The Board shall pre-
scribe rules and regulations for the procurement of ma-
terials and supplies. Said Agent shall provide accurate
records of such purchases and procurement and shall main-
tain same in such condition as to be readily available to
the public. ]

5. Prescribe rules and regulations for procurement of
materials, supplies, and public work.

[6. Establish the Department of the Budget. The Super-
visor and Administrator thereof shall be the County Comp-
troller. Subject to the aforesaid, the budget of the County
shall be administered as otherwise provided by law. ]

6. Adopt a system of budgetary control and audit of all
County funds.

[7. Establish a County Personnel Office. The appoint-
ment of all employees, except those whose appointment or
election is provided for by the Constitution or Public
General or Public Local Laws, shall be administered by
said Personnel Office. The Board shall establish salaries
and compensation for employees. It shall appoint a com-
petent person, with at least five years' experience in per-
sonnel work to supervise said office. The Board shall have
the power to require any officer or employee to give bonds
in such form or penalty as it may prescribe. The Board
shall also require the Personnel Office to adopt procedures
and methods for the discharge of employees or officers of
the County. The Board, however, shall be the final au-
thority. In the event any employee or officer shall feel
aggrieved, he may petition the Board for a hearing within
five days notice of his termination, and shall be given a
prompt hearing, at which he may be represented by counsel.
The Board shall forthwith render a decision, which de-
cision shall be final. ]