Reporting directly to Administration are the Department of Finance, the Human Resources Office, and the Department of Information Technology.
Annually, the Commission submits a report to the County.
Twelve members constitute the Commission. They are appointed by the County Executive with Council Council consent to three-year terms (County Code, secs. 16-19 through 16-23).
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
From 1776 to 1843, the financial supervision of Maryland counties was overseen by two State Treasurers. One served the Eastern Shore, and the other, the counties west of the Chesapeake. In 1843, the two positions merged, and a single State Treasurer began to oversee each county's finances. In 1886, the position of County Treasurer was created, with the Board of County Commissioners appointing the Treasurer to a one-year term (Chapter 340, Acts of 1886). In 1901, the County Treasurer became an elected position, serving a two-year term (Chapter 69, Acts of 1900), later extended to a four-year term.
Collecting and disbursing all taxes levied in Cecil County, the County Treasurer had managed County financial accounts, and advised agencies on fiscal management, in addition to collecting fees for dog licenses, liquor licenses, permits and inspections, and utilities. To the Board of County Comissioners, the County Treasurer had provided an annual comprehensive financial report and a monthly cash report (County Code, secs. 78-1 through 78-5). With the adoption of charter government, the position of County Treasurer was abolished on January 1, 2013, at which time the duties of the office transferred to the Director of Finance (County Charter, sec. 711).
Headed by the Director of Finance, the Department of Finance reviews budgets for County agencies, and advises the agencies on operating budgets, and the taxes and fees that effect them. The Department also prepares an annual County budget, updates budgetary information, and reports monthly to the County Executive and Council Council on revenue projections as measured against budgetary appropriations (County Charter, secs. 501-515; County Code, secs. 45-1, 45-2).
HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE
Annually, the Commission submits a report to the State Ethics Commission, showing County compliance with State regulations (Code State Government Article, sec. 15-803(b)).
Appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent, the Ethics Commission consists of five members who serve four-year terms (County Code, secs. 39-4 through 39-12).
DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Nonsensitive data shared by agencies is collected by the Department, which integrates, stores, and makes information publicly available. Energy consumed by County agencies also is monitored by the Department, which advises agencies on methods to reduce costs and increase efficiency. In addition, the Cecil County Geographic Information System (GIS) is maintained by the Department.
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Duties of the Department of Finance originated with the Council Treasurer, whose origins trace to the 18th century.
Establishing guidelines for employment and hiring practices, the Human Resources Office coordinates the issuance of employment notices, and manages County employee and retirement benefits.
ETHICS COMMISSION
Created in September 1988, the Ethics Commission investigates and makes determinations concerning complaints alleging violations of the County ethics law, and provides advisory opinions to persons subject to that law.
Responsible for identifying and meeting current and future technology needs of County government, the Department of Information Technology oversees and maintains the County's information and communication network, manages the County website, and offers IT training to County agencies. The Department also maintains interagency digital security, and develops and coordinates procurment of software and hardware neccessary to meet County needs.
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