MONTGOMERY COUNTY                                  2111

Section 212. Principal Departments

In the executive branch there shall be an Officer of the County
Attorney, a Department of Finance and any departments, agencies, offices,
or other bodies prescribed by this Charter, or by the Council by law.

Section 213. County Attorney

The County Executive shall appoint a County Attorney, subject to
confirmation by the Council. The County Attorney shall be the chief legal
officer of the County, conduct all the law business of the County, and be
the legal advisor to the Council, the County Executive and all departments
or other instrumentalities of the County government, and he shall rep-
resent the County in all actions in which the County is a party. The
County Attorney and the staff of his office shall engage in no other law
practice. The County Attorney may, with the approval of the Council,
temporarily employ special legal counsel to work on problems of an extra-
ordinary nature when the work to be done is of such character or magni-
tude as to require services in addition to those regularly provided by the
County Attorney. The County Attorney shall serve at the pleasure of the
County Executive but, upon request, shall be entitled to a public hearing
before the Council prior to dismissal from office.

Section 214. Department of Finance

The Department of Finance shall be the custodian of all County funds,
securities and insurance policies; collect taxes, special assessments, license
fees and other revenue; manage indebtedness, invest and disburse County
funds; conduct internal audits of all County offices; prepare an Annual
Financial Report containing a detailed account of all monies received and
paid out by the County and perform such other functions as shall be
prescribed by law.

Section 215. Appointments

The County Executive, after receiving the advice of the Chief Ad-
ministrative Officer, shall appoint a single officer to head each principal
department, office or agency of the executive branch, subject to the con-
firmation of the Council. Except for commissions appointed to advise the
Council, the County Executive shall appoint, subject to the confirmation
of the Council, all members of boards and commissions unless otherwise
prescribed by state law or this Charter.

Section 216. Appointment of Other Employees of the Executive Branch
All employees of the executive branch other than those specifically
provided for in this Charter shall be appointed and removed and their
salaries shall be fixed under the merit system by the heads of the several
departments, offices and agencies of the County.

Section 217. Reorganization of the Executive Branch

The Council may prescribe by law the organization of the executive
branch of County government. The County Executive may submit to the
Council in writing, reorganization plans reallocating powers, functions or
responsibilities of the various departments and agencies of the executive
branch. A reorganization plan shall become law ninety days followin