806                              LAWS OF MARYLAND                       [CH. 492

(2)     To supervise and coordinate the administration of the func-
tions of the several departments and administrative agencies of the
county, and to carry on the general policies, orders and instructions
of the Board of County Commissioners in the administration of the
public local and other laws applying to the county.

(3)     To recommend to the Board of County Commissioners, per-
sons for appointment to the several offices and positions in the
county government, subject to the provisions of the merit system.

(4.) To prescribe the forms and to supervise and direct the prep-
aration of all county budgets, and to prepare material or messages
explanatory of the annual budget.

(5)     To examine regularly the books, papers and records of each
department and agency of the county government and to report to
the Board of County Commissioners the condition in which he finds
them. The County Commissioners shall make provision for an an-
nual audit of the books and accounts of the county by the appoint-
ment of an independent auditor.

(6)     To prepare and make public a comprehensive annual report
to the Board of County Commissioners of the operations of the
county government.

(7)     To provide adequate property and liability insurance for the
county and to help in arranging for surety bonds for such county
officers and employees who are required to furnish bonds.

(8)    To act as liaison officer in meetings of the several boards and
agencies of the county government.

(9)     To be responsible, through the Department of Public Works,
for the care and custody of all county buildings and of all real and
personal property of the county.

(10)     To supervise the financial administration of each office, de-
partment, board, commission, institution or other agency of county
government of any kind; to study and investigate the organization
and management and the bookkeeping and accounting procedures
of these agencies; and to direct these agencies to adopt and follow
such method of conducting their offices or of keeping books and
accounts, or to make such reports in such form, as the Director
deems advisable and prescribes.

(11)     To establish and maintain current accounts of all appropria-
tions, revenues, and disbursements made by the County Commission-
ers so us to show in detail the appropriations made to each account,
the sources thereof, the amounts drawn thereon, the purpose for
which such amounts were expended, and the unencumbered balance
thereof, and to submit at each meeting of the County Commis-
sioners a summary showing the amounts received, expended, and on
hand in each account as of that date.

(12)     To keep the Board of County Commissioners advised on the
financial condition of the county and make such recommendations
as may seem to him advisable; to remain continually available to
advise the County Commissioners on all financial matters including
but not limited to investment of county moneys and purchase and
issue of bonds; and to submit at least monthly to the County Com-