HOWARD COUNTY, MARYLAND

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

ADMINISTRATION

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

DEPARTMENT OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION

George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, Maryland, May 2018. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

PUBLIC ETHICS COMMISSION
Administering County ethics laws, the Public Ethics Commission advises and makes recommendations on changes to the ethics laws to the County Executive and County Council. The Commission hears and rules on all complaints of violation, and maintains all disclosure and conflict of interest forms for County officals and employees subject to State and County ethics laws.

Annually, the Commission submits a report to the State Ethics Commission, showing County compliance with State law governing the public ethics of local officials with respect to conflicts of interest, financial disclosure, and lobbying (Code General Provisions Article, secs. 5-804 through 5-812).

Appointed by County Executive with County Council consent to 5-year terms, five members constitute the Commission (County Code, sec. 22.200-22.209).

OFFICE OF BUDGET
Monitoring purchasing and personnel requests by County agencies, the Office of Budget advises the County Executive and County Council on matters of revenue and expenditures. The Office prepares the annual capital, general and operating budgets, as well as special management and financial reports for the County Executive or County Council (County Code, sec. 22.400A).

SPENDING AFFORDABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
In November 2020, the Spending Affordability Advisory Committee was authorized by the County Executive (Executive Order no. 2020-17).

The Committee is to review the status and projections of County revenues and expenditures for Fiscal Year 2022, and Fiscal Years 2023 -2027; as well as evaluate future revenue levels, economic indicators; and expenditure levels.

By March 1, 2021, the Committee will report its findings to the County Executive..

OFFICE OF CENTRAL SERVICES
For the County, the Office of Central Services manages interagency mail, copy and print services, and fleet operation for all County government vehicles. Responsible for providing storage of all County supplies and vehicles, the Office also supervises and maintains all County garages, and warehouses (County Code, sec. 6.403).

OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY
Upon recommendation of the Howard County Commission on the Environment and Sustainability, the Office of Environmental Sustainability was authorized in 2007 by the County Executive. It was renamed the Office of Community Sustainability on July 1, 2015.

With the Environmental Sustainability Board, the Office of Community Sustainability reports annually to the County Executive and County Council on environmental programs and conditions. Programs initiated by the Office include lake conservation, storm-water runoff management, and public awareness of conservation and recycling programs. To increase health and ecological conservation, the Office works with County agencies to develop land use plans so that construction in communities, roads, and government buildings will cause minimal environmental impact (County Code, sec. 6.407).

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY BOARD
Created in 2007, the Environment Sustainability Board advises the County Executive and County Council on environmental sustainability matters. It also monitors County progress towards environmental goals established by the County Commission on the Environment and Sustainability.

Thirteen members constitute the Board.

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
The Office of Human Resources originated as the Office of Personnel, and adopted its present name in 1997.

Responsible for setting County employee pay grades, the Office of Human Resources negotiates of behalf of the County with employee organizations over wages, hours, employee and retiree benefits, and working conditions. The Office also provides training programs, and prepares and distributes an employee manual, describing conduct guidelines and rules for appointments, promotions, demotions, and separations (County Code, secs. 1.100-1.612).

OFFICE OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Established in 1975, the Office of Human Rights enforces the County Human Rights Law, investigates complaints of discrimination, and serves as mediator to resolve complaints. Moreover, the Office conducts studies and makes recommendations to the County Executive on policy. In addition, the Office serves as a liaison to other government agencies and the public on matters relating to the enforcement and advocacy of federal and State human rights laws (County Code, secs. 12.200 through 12.218).

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
In Howard County, it is illegal to discriminate against individuals based on: race, creed, religion, disability, color, sex, national origin, age, occupation, marital status, political opinion, sexual orientation, personal appearance, familial status, source of income, or gender identity.

In 1969, the Human Rights Commission was established in Howard County.

The Commission recommends a civil rights policy to the County Executive and the County Council; conducts surveys and studies concerning human rights conditions and problems; and files a complaint when there is reason to believe a pattern or practice of discrimination exists.

Twelve members constitute the Commission. Eleven members are appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent to serve three-year terms, and one student, who is a nonvoting member, also is so appointed to serve a one-year term.

OFFICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION
As the primary contact for County government, the Office of Public Information coordinates departmental publications, press conferences, and supervises programming for the government access cable television channel. The Office maintains communication systems and standards for the County to best serve government transparency and public access. For the County Council, the Office creates press releases, updates the County website, and works with local media and community organizations to ensure community awareness of government activities (County Code, sec. 6.404).

OFFICE OF PURCHASING
The Office of Purchasing conducts all purchases, leases, and contracts for County government, and oversees the County warehouse. Uniform standards for property accounting and storage control are developed by the Office as is the County’s requisition and receipt system. Interagency equipment transfers and sales of County property, found and unclaimed personal property, and lawfully seized personal property are performed by the Office with approval of the County Executive (County Charter, Art. VIII, secs. 801-808; County Code, secs. 4.100-4.507).

OFFICE OF TRANSPORTATION
The Office of Transportation formerly was the Division of Transportation within the Department of Planning and Zoning before it transferred as the Office of Transportation under the Department of County Administration.

Coordinating the County's public transportation system, the Office of Transportation oversees County transit and paratransit services. Coordinating funds to acquire, manage, and operate public transportation, the Office works with federal, State, and local agencies to develop and promote alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles. It also coordinates access for bicycle, pedestrian and vehicle transportation. In addition, the Office advises the County Executive on transit and transportation issues (County Code, sec. 6.408).

MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION BOARD
The Multimodal Transportation Board advises the County Executive and County agencies on County public transportation matters. Indeed, the Board initiates, advises, and assists in providing County transportation options that include public transit; bicycle transportation; pedestrian transportation; road networks that promote all modes of transportation; and transportation demand management.

Appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent, the Board has nine members, who serve five-year terms (County Code, sec. 21.502).

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BOARD
The Public Transportation Board makes recommendations to the County Executive concerning contracts with State and Federal agencies, firms, corporations, and associations to provide public transportation services to Howard County. The Board identifies financial and other resources to support and expand County public transportation services; assists in procuring adequate public transportation for County residents having no alternative means of transportation; and helps increase transportation access to social services, educational institutions, recreational facilities, and domestic supplies.

Appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent, the Board consists of seven members (County Code, secs. 21.500 through 21.503).

OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Established under the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, the Office of Workforce Development manages and develops plans to fully use human resources in Howard County in accordance with State, federal and local laws. In its duties, the Office manages the Columbia Workforce Center, one of Maryland’s One-Stop Career Centers. In cooperation with the State Workforce Development System, and local educational institutions, the Office provides contacts and training for businesses and job seekers within the County, as well as career counseling and training to residents (P.L. 105-220; County Code, sec. 6.406).

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, Maryland, October 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY & COMMUNICATION SERVICES

Through the Office of Purchasing, all purchases of information services systems equipment are coordinated by the Department. Services include the County 911 system and the "real time" snow-plow tracking system. The Department also manages the automated mapping geographic information systems; enforces the County’s cable television laws, and provides for the County’s records management (County Code, secs. 27.100, 27.101).

OFFICE OF CABLE ADMINISTRATION
Cable television is regulated jointly by the County and the Federal Communication Commission (FCC).

The Office of Cable Administration oversees the performance of cable operators in the County, and investigates and negotiates resolution of cable-related complaints. The Office also oversees operation of the County's public access cable channel, Channel 98.

Heading the Office, the Cable Administrator advises the County Executive and County Council on cable matters and informs them of new developments in the cable industry, cable technology, and cable regulatory issues. The Cable Administrator also accepts applications and fees for new cable franchises and franchise renewals, transfers, and agreement modifications. For the right to access public rights of way to offer cable service, cable companies pay franchise fees to Howard County Government (County Code, secs. 14.400 through 14.433).

CABLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Cable Advisory Committee advises the County Executive and County Council on matters related to the use of cable television systems and facilities.

Appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent, the Committee has five members (County Code, sec. 14.428).

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