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County Executive - Harford County, Maryland
James M. Harkins
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Harford County, Maryland has a charter home rule form of government. This means that we have a constitution that created a legislative and executive branch of government, and that we can pass most of our own local laws, rather than having to go to the State Legislature. The executive branch consists of the County Executive and all officers, agents, and employees under the Executive's supervision and authority.
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Being County Executive is a full-time job and then some. I spend many hours carrying out my official duties and some unofficial ones too. The Executive prepares the budget; recommends measures for legislative action to the County Council; makes sure that surplus County funds are invested in the best interests of the County; signs deeds, contracts, and other documents on behalf of the County; and makes sure that employees of executive branch perform their duties. To help me, I have a number of department heads and a Director of Administration. Each department head is appointed by me and approved by the County Council. Some of the departments are Law, Treasury, Planning and Zoning, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Community Services, and Procurement.
Communication is very important to getting things done for my County, and. I spend a great deal of time meeting with my staff and citizens, attending schools, visiting new and existing businesses, speaking to various civic groups, and attending community meetings and events. I also meet with state legislators, the Governor, and leaders from other counties.
One of the most challenging parts of my job is trying to allocate enough money to help address the many needs of the County. Harford County operates fifty public schools. We also have to maintain County roads, operate County parks and coordinate recreational programs, provide services for citizens who need help, monitor the environment, inspect new construction projects, and maintain a safe water system.
My days and evenings are very busy. There are times when emergencies arise and I must take quick action. I need to be ready 24 hours a day to deal with any situation that impact my County. The challenges of my job are very demanding, but I enjoy the reward of knowing that I have helped many people have a better life.
Sincerely,
James M. Harkins,
County Executive,
Harford County, Maryland
Biography
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