Directly under the Adminstrative Office are seven subordinate offices: Budget, Central Services, Finance, Government Relations, Information Technology, Personnel, and Public Information.
Annually, the Commission must certify to the State State Ethics Commission that the County is in compliance with State law governing the public ethics of local officials (Code State Government Article, sec. 15-803(b)).
Seven members constitute the Ethics Commission. They are appointed by County Executive with County Council consent to four-year terms (County Charter, Art. X, secs. 1001-1001C; County Code, secs. 7-1-101 through 7-8-103)
SEVERN RIVER COMMISSION
The Severn River runs from its head waters in the western part of Anne Arundel County and enters Chesapeake Bay at Annapolis. For the River's preservation, the Commission advises government agencies on policies to enhance and protect the natural, historic and scenic qualities of the River and its watershed. The Commission also reviews existing laws; and develops proposed legislation.
Biennial reports to the County Council and the Annapolis City Council are submitted by the Commission.
The Commission consists of fourteen members who serve three-year terms. Of nine voting members, seven are appointed by the County Executive, and two by the Annapolis Mayor. Five nonvoting members serve ex officio.
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN
Eighteen members constitute the Commission. They are appointed to two-year terms by the County Executive.
The Committee is appointed to four-year terms by the County Executive with County Council consent (County Charter, Art. VI, sec. 610).
In cooperation with the Federal Communication Commission, the Office of the Cable Television Administrator monitors and regulates all cable providers operating in the County (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47).
Heading the Office, the Information Technology Officer is appointed by the County Executive (County Charter, Art. V, secs. 529A-529B).
The Personnel Officer authorizes the payment of all payrolls for employees in the classified service; directs and enforces the maintenance by all County departments, boards, commissions, offices, and agencies of the personnel provisions in the County Charter and their related rules, regulations, and ordinances; and
submits all proposed personnel rules and regulations to the Personnel Board for its review and comment prior to adoption (County Charter, Art. V, secs. 517-521; Art. VIII, secs. 801-814; County Code, Art. 6).
Before the County changes the manner of funding a County pension plan, the County must submit a written statement of its proposed action to the Commission. On or before the thirtieth day after receipt of the proposal, the Commission is to report its findings and recommendations to the County official responsible for the proposal. Unless the County Executive declares that an emergency exists which demands immediate action, the County may not take any action that commits the County to the proposed action until it either has received the Commission's report or the time period for its submission has expired.
On request of the County Executive, any member of the County Council, the Board of Appeals, the Personnel Officer, or any participant in a County pension plan, the Pension Oversight Commission shall provide a written interpretation of any provisions of a County pension plan.
Annually, the Commission submits an annual report on the status of each County pension plan to the County Executive and County Council.
The Commission consists of nine members appointed to four-year terms by the County Executive with County Council consent (County Charter, secs. 606-609; County Code, secs. 7-101 through 7-102).
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ETHICS COMMISSION
Created in 1985, the Ethics Commission investigates allegations of violation of the County Public Ethics Law, and hears and rules on such allegations. Proposed resolutions that pertain to public ethics are reviewed by the Commission, which provides and maintains ethics forms and notices.
Formed jointly in 1984 by the County Council and the Annapolis City Council, the Severn River Commission had limited jurisdiction. Originally its charge was to advise State and local governments on environmental concerns to the Severn River, compile an initial report (Jan. 1987) and final report (Jan. 1989), and disband in December 1989. However, in December 1989 both the County Council and the Annapolis City Council authorized the Commission to continue indefinitely.
Created in 1975, the Commission for Women advises the County Executive on matters regarding women and families.
OFFICE OF BUDGET
The Office of the Budget is administered by the Budget Officer. Under supervision of the Chief Administrative Officer, the Budget Officer formulates the County budget, and helps agencies prepare their budgets, improve budget execution, and reduce costs (County Charter, Art. V, secs. 515-516; Art. VII, 701-722).
SPENDING AFFORDABILITY COMMITTEE
The Spending Affordability Committee advises the County Executive, the County Council, and the Office of the Budget on spending affordability, including County spending levels that reflect taxpayers' ability to finance County services and long-term debt. By February 1, the Committee makes its annual recommendations in a report made available for public inspection.
OFFICE OF CENTRAL SERVICES
The Office of Central Services administers purchasing for the County. The maintenance, operation, and management of all land and buildings owned by or operated by the County also is overseen by the Office which makes, renews, and cancels all contracts of insurance in which the County, or any office, department, institution, board, commission or other agency of the County government is named as insured. To other County offices, departments, boards, institutions, and agencies, the Office makes available duplicating, stenographic, mail, messenger, stores, transportation, central garage, automotive maintenance, data processing or other central services (County Charter, Art. V, secs. 523-524; Art. IX, secs. 901-911).
OFFICE OF FINANCE
For Anne Arundel County, the Office of Finance is headed by the Controller, who administers the financial affairs of the County, including the collection of State and County taxes, special assessments, utility assessments and charges, fees and other revenues and funds of every kind due to the County. Moreover, the Controller is responsible for the enforcement of the collection of taxes; the custody and safekeeping of all funds and securities belonging to or by law deposited with, distributed to, or handled by the County; the disbursement of County funds; the keeping and supervision of all accounts (County Charter, Art. V, secs. 511-514).
OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Since 1988, the Office of Information Technology has been responsible for all data processing needs of County government. The Office maintains the County’s electronic infrastructure and digital security, and offers staff training in updated applications. In addition, the Office oversees the County’s Geographic Information Services, the Office of the Cable Television Administrator; and the community television station (Channel 98).
OFFICE OF PERSONNEL
The Office of Personnel is administered by the Personnel Officer. The Personnel Officer conducts or directs investigations into the character and fitness of applicants for appointment to the classified service; prepares and conducts examinations for the appointment or promotion of positions in the classified service; and organizes recruitment plans to attract qualified persons to County government. The Personnel Officer also maintains and certifies to the appointing authority eligibility lists setting forth the names and comparative qualifications of those eligible for appointment.
PENSION OVERSIGHT COMMISSION
The County Council provides the Pension Oversight Commission with a copy of any proposed ordinance or resolution pertaining to a County retirement plan. On or before the thirtieth day after receipt of the proposal, the Commission is to review it and report its findings and recommendations to the County Executive and County Council.
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