Talbot County, MD Article III COUNTY MANAGER

Section 301 Appointment and Removal of the County Manager

(a) The Council shall appoint a County Manager and may remove him from office at pleasure. Prior to his being removed from office, he shall be given a written statement of reasons and a prompt public hearing if requested.

(b) Upon the issuance of a written statement pertaining to the removal of the County Manager, the Council shall appoint an acting manager to perform the duties of the County Manager until reinstatement or a permanent replacement is employed. No acting manager shall serve for a period greater than six months.

Section 302 Qualifications of the County Manager

The County Manager shall be appointed on the basis of his education and his professional experience in executive and administrative affairs. At the time of his appointment he need not be a resident of Talbot County, but must reside in Talbot County promptly after his appointment.

Section 303 Compensation of the County Manager

The County Manager shall receive compensation as provided by law.

Section 304 Powers and Duties of the County Manager

The County Manager is the chief administrative officer of the County. Under the direction of the Council, the County Manager has the following powers and duties:

(a) He shall direct and supervise the administration of all agencies of the County government, except as otherwise provided by this Charter or by law.

(b) He shall, with the approval of the Council, appoint, suspend, or remove the head of each agency of the County government except for the County Attorney as provided for in Section 220 of this Charter. During the temporary absence or disability of the head of an agency of the County government, or if the position becomes vacant, the County Manager shall, with the approval of the Council, make a temporary appointment to fill the position. No temporary appointment shall extend for a period longer than six months.

(c) He shall see that all laws and provisions of this Charter, subject to enforcement by him or by officers subject to his direction and supervision, are faithfully executed.

(d) He shall be entitled to attend all Council meetings, except those concerning his salary or future employment. He shall have no vote.

(e) He shall submit to the Council at the end of the fiscal year a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the County for the preceding year and prepare and make available for distribution to the public, within three months after the end of each fiscal year, an annual report on County affairs during that fiscal year.

(f) He shall keep the Council fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the County and make such recommendations to the Council concerning the affairs of the County as he deems desirable.

(g) He shall be the Finance Officer, Budget Officer, Personnel Officer, Purchasing Agent, and Central Services Officer until otherwise provided for by the Council in accordance with Section 406 of this Charter. With regard to the duties of the Finance Officer, Article IX, Section 909(1) applies.

(1) As Finance Officer, he is responsible for keeping a system of accounts; controlling appropriations and allotments; preparing monthly and annual financial statements for the Council; auditing, prior to payment, any claims against the County of whatever kind; depositing, investing and having custody of all funds; prescribing accounting systems; preparing for bond sales and advising on debt management; administering tax sales; collecting and billing for all revenues and receipts due the County and other functions prescribed by law.

(2) As Budget Officer, he shall: (a) prepare and submit to the Council all County budgets, prepared in the manner and form provided in Article VI of this Charter; and (b) study the organization, methods and procedures of each agency of the County government and submit to the Council periodic reports on their efficiency and economy.

(3) As Personnel Officer, he is responsible for the direction and supervision of County personnel and, should the Council deem it desirable, for the administration of a County personnel law if so adopted.

(4) As Purchasing Agent, he is responsible for administration of the central purchasing policies of the County government.

(5) As Central Services Officer, he is responsible for making available to the several agencies of the County government duplicating, stenographic, mail, messenger, data processing, communications, and other central services as specified by legislative act of the Council.

(h) He shall perform other duties prescribed by this Charter, required by the Council, or necessarily implied by the powers and duties herein specified.