Atlantic County, NJ Article III Executive Branch

§ 4-12 County Executive.

A. Election, term and compensation. The County Executive shall be the chief executive officer of the County. He or she shall be a citizen of the United States and a qualified voter of the County residing therein. He or she shall be elected from the County at large for a term of four years commencing on January 1 next following his or her election. He or she shall give his or her full time to the duties of the office and shall receive such compensation as shall be provided by ordinance.

B. Powers and duties. The County Executive shall have and exercise all the powers and duties now or hereafter conferred or imposed upon him or her by the Charter or other applicable laws or Acts of the Legislature not inconsistent with the Charter, including the power to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Board of County Commissioners, the Administrator, the department heads, the division heads and the members of all boards, commissions and authorities.

C. Appointments. Within 90 days of the adoption of the Administrative Code or in the event of any vacancy, the County Executive shall submit the names of each department head, division director or member of any board, agency, commission or authority to the Board of County Commissioners for its advice and consent, unless the Board by resolution otherwise authorizes.

D. Chief of Staff. There shall be a Chief of Staff to the County Executive, whose duties shall also include those of the Public Information Officer, who shall directly report to the County Executive and shall perform the following duties:

[Added 6-7-2022 by Ord. No. 5-2022]

(1) Be responsible for the day-to-day information of County government.

(2) Formulate and issue press releases as directed by the County Executive.

(3) Oversee the County's web services.

(4) Be involved with the coordination of County events, both internal and external.

(5) Preparation of executive certificates and proclamations.

(6) Review and approval of County publications.

§ 4-13 Administrator.

A. Appointment, term and compensation. There shall be an Administrator appointed by the County Executive, with the advice and consent of the Board. The Administrator shall serve at the pleasure of the County Executive and shall be responsible only to him or her. The Administrator shall by education, experience and ability qualify to perform the duties established for him or her. He or she need not be a resident of the County at the time of his or her appointment, but during his or her tenure he or she may live outside the County only with the permission of the County Executive. He or she shall serve on a full-time basis and shall receive such compensation as may be provided by ordinance.

B. Powers and duties. The Administrator shall:

(1) Under the direction and supervision of the Executive, assist in the orderly and efficient administration of the County, performing whatever supervisory or administrative duties the Executive deems necessary and proper.

(2) Serve as the head of one or more County departments on a temporary or permanent basis, as determined by the County Executive.

(3) Serve as Acting County Executive during the temporary absence or disability of the County Executive.

(4) Provide for capital planning and property management for all County property.

[Added 9-5-2000 by Ord. No. 9-2000]

(5) Submit ordinances, resolutions and otherwise assist the Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners' administrative staff with the preparation of the agenda for each Commissioner meeting.

[Added 6-7-2022 by Ord. No. 5-2022]

C. Human Relations Advisory Council. There shall be a Human Relations Advisory Council within the Office of the County Administrator as established by § 4-64.10P.

[Added 8-27-1991 by Ord. No. 33-1991]

D. Advisory Commission on Women. There shall be an Advisory Commission on Women within the Office of the County Administrator as established by § 4-64.10Q of this chapter.

[Added 2-1-1994 by Ord. No. 1-1994]

E. Advisory Committee on Tourism. There shall be an Advisory Committee on Tourism within the Office of the County Executive as established by § 4-64.10R.

[Added 4-1-2003 by Ord. No. 6-2003]

F. Groundwater Advisory Board. There shall be a Groundwater Advisory Board within the Office of’ the County Administrator as established by § 4-64.10S.

[Added 10-5-2004 by Ord. No. 9-2004]

G. Workforce Investment Board. There shall be a Workforce Investment Board within the Office of the County Administration as established by § 4-64.11G.

[Added 10-5-2004 by Ord. No. 9-2004]

§ 4-14 Departmental organization.

[Amended 5-27-1980]

The administrative functions, powers and duties of the County government shall be allocated and assigned among and within the departments established by this chapter and as required by the Charter with respect to the County officers established under the Constitution of the State of New Jersey.

§ 4-15 Department heads.

[Amended 5-27-1980]

A. Appointment, term and compensation. Each department head shall be qualified by training and education or experience for the duties of his or her office and shall serve at the pleasure of the County Executive, subject to the Charter. He or she shall serve on a full-time basis and shall receive such compensation as shall be provided by ordinance.

B. Powers and duties. Each department head, subject to the direction and supervision of the County Executive, shall:

(1) Organize the work of his or her department.

(2) Direct and supervise the personnel of the department in such a manner as to coordinate and control the work product of the department.

(3) Authorize or designate a responsible employee to authorize all purchase requisitions on behalf of the department, subject to County purchasing guidelines.

(4) (Reserved)[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(4), regarding a manual of operations was repealed 2-15-1992 by Ord. No. 12-1992.

C. At the discretion of the department head, there may be provided one secretary or confidential aide, who will be in the unclassified service, to be appointed by each head of any County department or of any designated division within such department, when the head of any such division is in an unclassified position or provided by N.J.S.A. 11A:3-5q.

[Amended 8-6-1996 by Ord. No. 12-1996]

§ 4-15.1 (Reserved) [1]

[1] Editor's Note: Former § 4-15.1, Units reporting to County Executive, added 2-15-1992 by Ord. No. 12-1992, was repealed 5-27-1997 by Ord. No. 7-1997.

§ 4-15.2 (Reserved) [1]

[1] Editor's Note: Former § 4-15.2, Powers and duties of Office of Policy and Planning, added 2-15-1992 by Ord. No. 12-1992, was repealed 5-27-1997 by Ord. No. 7-1997. See now § 4-53.3.

§ 4-15.3 (Reserved) [1]

[1] Editor's Note: Former § 4-15.3, Powers and duties of Office of Public Information, added 2-15-1992 by Ord. No. 12-1992, was repealed 5-27-1997 by Ord. No. 7-1997. See now § 4-53.4.

§ 4-16 Divisions reporting to County Administrator.

[Added 5-27-1980; amended 12-29-1981 by Ord. No. 24-1981; 10-12-1982 by Ord. No. 14-1982; 8-21-1984 by Ord. No. 21A-1984; 12-2-1986 by Ord. No. 18-1986; 4-11-1989 by Ord. No. 8-1989; 2-15-1992 by Ord. No. 12-1992; 8-6-1996 by Ord. No. 12-1996]

The following Divisions and Offices shall report to the County Administrator:

A. Treasurer's Office.

B. Office of Internal Auditor.

C. Division of Library Services.

D. [1]Division of the Central Municipal Court of Atlantic County.

[Added 11-23-2021 by Ord. No. 11-2021]

[1] Editor's Note: Former § 4-16D, Division of Intergenerational Services, was redesignated as § 4-34C 9-5-2000 by Ord. No. 9-2000.

E. The County Superintendent of Schools. The Department of Administration shall oversee and manage the County's contract with the Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) which operates the Harborfields Youth Detention Facility (Harborfields).

[Added 6-7-2022 by Ord. No. 5-2022]

§ 4-17 Deputy County Administrator.

[Added 5-27-1980; amended 4-11-1989 by Ord. No. 8-1989; 2-15-1992 by Ord. No. 12-1992]

A. There shall be one Deputy County Administrator, who shall be a member of the unclassified service and who shall be qualified by training, education or experience for the duties of this office.

B. The Deputy Administrator may serve as the head of one or more County departments or divisions on a temporary or permanent basis, as determined by the County Executive.

C. The Deputy Administrator shall serve as a resource to the Administrator for special projects and shall function in place of the Administrator when the Administrator is unavailable.

D. The Deputy Administrator shall serve as liaison to the Extension Service.

[Amended 6-7-2022 by Ord. No. 5-2022]

E. The Deputy Administrator shall assist the County Administrator in the orderly and efficient administration of the County, performing whatever supervisory and administrative duties the County Administrator deems necessary and proper.

F. The Deputy Administrator shall also oversee and coordinate functions of the Central Municipal Court of Atlantic County in such matters as relate to County government, particularly the budget for the Central Municipal Court.

[Added 6-7-2022 by Ord. No. 5-2022]

§ 4-18 (Reserved) [1]

[1] Editor's Note: Former § 4-18, Powers and duties of the Division of Budget and Management, added 5-27-1980, as amended, was repealed 2-15-1982 by Ord. No. 12-1992.

§ 4-18.1 (Reserved) [1]

[1] Editor's Note: Former § 4-18.1, Volunteer Advisory Council, added 3-8-1988 by Ord. No. 9-1988, was repealed 4-11-1989 by Ord. No. 8-1989. See now § 4-27.1.

§ 4-19 Treasurer's Office. [1]

[Added 5-27-1980; amended 12-29-1981 by Ord. No. 24-1981; 4-11-1989 by Ord. No. 8-1989; 2-15-1992 by Ord. No. 12-1992]

A. There shall be a Treasurer's Office, the head of which shall be the Treasurer, who shall be a member of the unclassified service pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:9-27. Prior to his or her appointment, he or she shall be qualified by training, education or experience for the duties of the office. The Treasurer's Office shall assist the County Administrator and the County Executive in the discharge of their responsibilities of budget administration and other fiscal matters.

B. The Treasurer shall:

(1) Receive, collect, deposit and distribute all funds of the County as may be provided by law.

(2) Maintain and reconcile records of deposits and withdrawals from all County depositories.

(3) Manage the investment of County funds, pending their need for current operations, and have custody of all investments and invested funds of the County government or in the possession of the County in a fiduciary capacity, except as may be otherwise provided by law.

(4) Administer the County debt and have the safekeeping of all bonds and notes of the County and the receipt and delivery of County bonds and notes for transfer, registration or exchange.

(5) Make disbursements of County funds by an individual warrant check for each bill, claim and demand authorized to be paid, except that a single warrant may be used for an entire payroll or part of a payroll.

(6) Assist the County Executive in preparing and evaluating budget estimates and preparing comprehensive operating and capital budgets.

(7) Assist the departments and other budgeted agencies in the evaluation and selection of federal and state aid programs of interest to the County and expedite the requisite applications.

(8) Install and maintain the County's central accounting system and records.

(9) Prescribe and enforce a uniform system of accounts for all departments and other budgeted agencies under the County government, provided that such system shall, insofar as consistent with sound accounting principles, facilitate the production of records of the cost of performance of each functional program or activity, measured in such cost units as may be prescribed or approved by the Treasurer and the County Executive.

(10) Preaudit all bills, claims and demands against the County, including payrolls.

(11) Require reports of receipts and disbursements of each department or other budgeted agencies to be made daily or at such intervals as the Treasurer may determine will most efficiently protect the County's interest.

(12) Operate and maintain a central payroll system covering all personnel paid out of funds appropriated by the Board.

(13) Control all expenditures to assure that budget appropriations and quarterly allotments are not exceeded; pass upon each proposed expenditure for conformity with the Charter and code; and authorize the payment of bills, claims and demands and payrolls upon proper certification of appropriate department head or designee and in accordance with the results of the preaudit.

(14) Install and maintain books and records of account for the exercise of the financial and budgetary controls herein required.

(15) Serve as liaison to the Vocational and Special Services School District and to the Atlantic Cape Community College.

[Added 6-7-2022 by Ord. No. 5-2022]

C. No appropriation shall be encumbered and no expenditure shall be made by any department unless the Treasurer shall certify that there is an unencumbered balance of appropriations and funds available within the approved allotment.

D. Each warrant check shall be authorized, signed and countersigned as provided in the code. The County Executive may prescribe such additional procedures for the control of disbursements as may be desirable to protect the public interest.

E. Access to safe-deposit boxes used or rented by the County shall be restricted to the Treasurer or Acting Treasurer in conjunction with the County Executive or his or her designee.

[1] Editor's Note: For provisions regarding the Division of Facilities Management, see now § 4-42.2

§ 4-19.1 Chief Financial Officer.

[Added 10-5-2004 by Ord. No. 9-2004][1]

There shall be a Chief Financial Officer appointed for a three-year term by the County Executive with the advice and consent of the Board, who shall be a member of the unclassified service pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:9-28.4. Prior to his or her appointment, he or she shall be qualified by training, education or experience for the duties of the office and shall hold a county finance officer certificate issued by the Division of Local Government Services. The Chief Finance Officer shall be responsible for the proper financial administration of the County under various fiscal laws and regulations.

[1] Editor's Note: Former § 4-19.1, Private Industry Council, added 3-8-1988 by Ord. No. 9-1988, was repealed 4-11-1989 by Ord. No. 8-1989.

§ 4-20 Office of Internal Auditor. [1]

[Added 4-11-1989 by Ord. No. 8-1989]

A. There shall be an Office of Internal Auditor reporting directly to the County Administrator.

B. Powers and duties. The Office of Internal Auditor shall:

(1) Conduct internal financial and operational audits of all County departments and offices.

(2) Develop and monitor compliance with a system of internal procedures and internal controls, including County administrative and financial procedures and directives, to safeguard assets and ensure that all transactions, including County resources, are properly authorized and recorded.

(3) Advise the County Administrator of any irregularities uncovered and of opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations.

(4) Where appropriate, ensure that the recommendations in the management letter of the external auditor are implemented.

[Amended 9-5-2000 by Ord. No. 9-2000]

(5) Develop and monitor revenue, disbursement and recording procedures.

(6) Develop and monitor a County-wide fixed asset control program.

(7) Monitor internal inventory controls.

(8) Monitor central financial controls and grants management.

(9) Develop departmental systems for receiving goods and services.

(10) Develop County-wide financial procedures.

(11) Coordinate with the County's external auditors.

[1] Editor's Note: Former § 4-20, Extension Service, added 5-27-1980, was repealed 8-21-1984 by Ord. No. 21A-1984.

§ 4-21 Division of Library Services. [1]

[Added 12-2-1986 by Ord. No. 18-1986]

A. There shall be a Division of Library Services, the Director of which shall be a professional librarian in the unclassified service, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:33-8, and qualified by training, education or experience for the duties of this office.

B. Powers and duties. The Division of Library Services shall provide library services to the residents of Atlantic County in accordance with state laws and regulations.

C. Library Advisory Commission. There shall be a Library Advisory Commission, within the Division of Library Services, as established by § 4-64.10B.

[Amended 3-8-1988 by Ord. No. 9-1988]

D. The Division shall be responsible for the provision of all cultural affairs events and programs.

[Added 2-15-1992 by Ord. No. 12-1992]

E. There shall be a Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board within the Division of Library Services as established by § 4-64.10J.

[Added 2-15-1992 by Ord. No. 12-1992]

[1] Editor's Note: Former § 4-21, Capital Development Office, added 5-27-1980, was repealed 10-12-1982 by Ord. No. 14-1982.

§ 4-22 (Reserved) [1]

[1] Editor's Note: Former § 4-22, Public Information Office, added 5-27-1980, was repealed 2-15-1992 by Ord. No. 12-1992. Former § 4-22, Division of Intergenerational Services, added 8-16-1996 by Ord. No. 12-1996, was redesignated as § 4-36.2 9-5-2000 by Ord. No. 9-2000.