Suffolk County, NY County Executive

[Amended 9-12-1972 by L.L. No. 15-1972; 12-11-1973 by L.L. No. 27-1973; 11-7-1974 by L.L. No. 29-1974; 11-7-1974 by L.L. No. 30-1974; 4-19-1977 by L.L. No. 13-1977; 4-19-1977 by L.L. No. 15-1977; 10-23-1979 by L.L. No. 31-1979; 5-13-1980 by L.L. No. 15-1980; 11-25-1980 by L.L. No. 9-1981]

In addition to the functions assigned to the County Executive in other provisions of this Charter, the County Executive shall:

Have general supervision over all administrative units of the County, except as otherwise provided in this Charter.

Except as otherwise provided by law or by this Charter, appoint, with the approval of the County Legislature, the heads of every County department and office and the members of County boards and commissions and appoint, without the approval of the County Legislature but within the appropriations therefor, such officers and employees in his own office as may be necessary for the performance of his duties.

Discharge his responsibilities in County budgeting and capital programming, as provided in Article IV of this Charter.

Take care that the laws applicable to the County and that the local laws and resolutions of the County are faithfully executed.

Investigate and report to the County Legislature the failure of any County officer or other County official or the head of any administrative agency or institution to enforce any law or to perform any duty which such official, agency or institution is required to enforce or perform.

Report to the County Legislature annually at the close of the fiscal year, or as soon thereafter as practicable, the financial and other affairs of the County, together with the reports of the departments of County government. If the County Executive wishes to deliver a verbal report to the County Legislature, he shall do so at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Legislature.

[Amended 4-27-2010 by L.L. No. 20-2010]

Present to the County Legislature from time to time such information and recommendations concerning the affairs of the County as he may deem necessary or as the County Legislature may by resolution request.

Have authority, jurisdiction and control over the rules for the administration of the Suffolk County Salary Plan and labor contracts as may be, from time to time, promulgated by action of the County Legislature or County Executive.

§ C3-4 Delegation of powers and duties by County Legislature.

The County Legislature may, by local law or resolution, delegate to the County Executive the exercise or performance of any of its powers and duties consistent with law.

§ C3-5 Residency requirement; time to be spent on duties.

The County Executive shall have been a resident of the County for at least one year immediately preceding his election and shall reside in the County during his entire term of office. He shall give his whole time to the duties of the office.

§ C3-6 Term of office.

[Amended 8-17-1993 by L.L. No. 27-1993]

The County Executive's term of office shall be four years from and including the first day of January next following his election.

The first election of the County Executive having been conducted at the general election held in 1959, the election of a County Executive for a full term shall be held each fourth year thereafter.

No person shall serve as a County Executive for more than 12 consecutive years.

§ C3-7 Removal from office.

The County Executive may be removed by the Governor in the manner provided in § 33 of the Public Officers Law for the removal of other County officers.

§ C3-8 Appointment of deputies.

The County Executive may appoint one or more deputies, within the appropriation therefor, to assist him in discharging the responsibilities of his office. The consent of the Legislature to any such appointment shall not be required.

§ C3-9 Temporary disability or absence.

The County Executive shall designate one deputy to perform the administrative duties of the County Executive during his temporary absence or disability and shall file such designation with the County Clerk. The acts so performed by such deputy shall have the same effect in law as if performed by the County Executive.

§ C3-10 Vacancy in office.

If the office of County Executive becomes vacant other than by expiration of the term, the Deputy County Executive designated under § C3-9 shall become Acting County Executive with the full powers of the office until the vacancy is filled in accordance with Subsection B or C of this section.

A vacancy in the office of County Executive, other than by expiration of the term, shall be filled by a special election to be held within 90 days after the creation of such vacancy except as provided in Subsection C. The person so elected shall serve for the balance of the unexpired term.

[Amended 3-16-1988 by L.L. No. 19-1988]

If said vacancy may be filled by a general election to be held no more than 90 days after the vacancy occurs, then no special election shall be held, and the vacancy shall be filled by a general election. The person so elected at the general election shall serve for the balance of the unexpired term. If said vacancy occurs after a general election in the office of an incumbent who has not been reelected, then the Deputy County Executive designated in § C3-9 of the County Charter as the Acting County Executive shall serve until and including the 31st day of December next succeeding the vacancy.

[Amended 3-16-1988 by L.L. No. 19-1988]