The executive and administrative power of the
County shall be vested in the Executive Branch. The Executive Branch
shall consist of the Chief Executive, the Manager, the Law Department
and such other departments and agencies as are established in the
Administrative Code.
The Chief Executive shall have, but shall not
be limited to, the following powers and duties:
a) Enforce the ordinances and resolutions of the County,
the provisions of this Charter, and the laws of the United States
of America and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania pertaining to the
government of the County.
b) Represent the County, or designate a County representative,
in all meetings and negotiations with the heads of other governmental
or quasi-governmental bodies.
c) Represent the County, or designate a County representative,
in all meetings and negotiations involving economic development.
d) Approve or reject ordinances and resolutions passed by County Council as provided in Article
IV, § 1.4-405.
e) Control and be accountable for the administration
of all departments and agencies except those specifically placed under
the jurisdiction of any other officer by law or by this Charter.
f) Submit to County Council the comprehensive fiscal plan as provided in Article
VII.
g) Appoint the Manager and the County Solicitor with
the consent of County Council.
h) Make appointments to authorities and agencies as permitted
by law and recommend to County Council the establishment and elimination
of authorities and agencies.
i) Negotiate, award and sign, or cause to be negotiated, awarded and signed on behalf of the County, all contracts, agreements and other instruments, except as provided in Article
IV, § 1.4-402(j) and (k).
j) Submit ordinances, resolutions and other related matters
to County Council.
k) Call special meetings of County Council as necessary.
l) Attend and participate in designated quarterly meetings
and, as the Chief Executive deems necessary, additional meetings of
County Council. The Chief Executive shall not have the right to vote
at meetings of County Council.
m) Give an annual state of the County address and other
reports as County Council may require from time to time.
n) Declare and take appropriate action to meet a state
of emergency.
o) Designate, in writing, the Manager or another administrative
officer of the County to exercise the powers and perform the duties
of the Chief Executive during a temporary absence or disability of
the Chief Executive.
The County Solicitor shall be a member in good
standing of the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and shall
be the chief legal officer of the County and serve as the director
of the Law Department.