The county commissioners of each county may appropriate funds for the hiring of a county administrator. If the county commissioners do not hire a full-time county administrator, then no county employee, other than county commissioners, may perform any of the administrative functions of a county administrator. [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
1. Appointment; qualifications. The county commissioners shall choose the county administrator solely on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications with special reference to the actual experience in, or knowledge of, the duties of the office as set forth in the policies established by the board of county commissioners and by law.
A. At the time of appointment, the county administrator need not be a resident of the county, but, while in office, the county administrator may reside outside the county only with the county commissioners' approval. [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
B. A county administrator may not hold any other elective or appointed county office, except as provided in this section. [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
2. Compensation; tenure of office. The county commissioners shall determine the compensation of the county administrator. The county administrator shall hold office for an indefinite term unless otherwise specified by contract. The county commissioners may, for cause, remove or suspend the county administrator in accordance with the procedure for removing or suspending a town manager under section 2633. In the absence or during the disability of the county administrator, the county commissioners may appoint an official of the county to perform the administrator's duties.
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
3. Duties. The county administrator is the chief administrative official of the county and is responsible for the administration of all departments and offices controlled by the county commissioners. The county administrator shall act as the clerk of the county. The county administrator shall act as purchasing agent for all departments and offices of the county, although the county commissioners may require that all purchases greater than a designated amount must be submitted to sealed bid. The county administrator shall attend all meetings of the county commissioners, except when the county administrator's removal or suspension is being considered. The county administrator shall keep the county commissioners and the county legislative delegation informed as to the financial condition of the county and shall collect all data necessary to prepare the budget.
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
4. County commissioners' compensation.
[PL 2001, c. 667, Pt. A, §47 (RP).]
5. Cumberland County manager required. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, no later than January 1, 1996, the county commissioners of Cumberland County shall hire a full-time county manager, who works under their direction to oversee the implementation of county policy and the day-to-day administration of county operations. The appointment, compensation and tenure of the manager are the same as provided for a county administrator pursuant to subsections 1 and 2. The manager:
A. Is responsible for the administration of all departments and offices controlled by the county commissioners; [PL 1995, c. 380, §2 (NEW).]
B. In conjunction with the county commissioners, department heads and budget committee, shall develop a proposed county budget for the coming year, which must be presented to the commissioners no later than October 1st; [PL 1995, c. 380, §2 (NEW).]
C. Shall keep the county commissioners and the county legislative delegation informed as to the financial condition of the county and collect all data necessary to prepare the budget; [PL 1995, c. 380, §2 (NEW).]
D. Shall attend all meetings of the county commissioners, except when the manager's removal or suspension is being considered; and [PL 1995, c. 380, §2 (NEW).]
E. Shall carry out other administrative duties assigned by the commissioners. [PL 1995, c. 380, §2 (NEW).]
[PL 1995, c. 380, §2 (NEW).]
6. York County manager required. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, no later than January 1, 2002, the county commissioners of York County shall hire a full-time county manager, who works under their direction to oversee the implementation of county policy and the day-to-day administration of county operations. The appointment, compensation and tenure of the manager are the same as provided for a county administrator pursuant to subsections 1 and 2. The manager:
A. Is responsible for the administration of all departments and offices controlled by the county commissioners; [PL 2001, c. 107, §2 (NEW).]
B. In conjunction with the county commissioners, department heads and budget committee, shall develop a proposed county budget for the coming year, which must be presented to the commissioners no later than October 1st; [PL 2001, c. 107, §2 (NEW).]
C. Shall keep the county commissioners and the county legislative delegation informed as to the financial condition of the county and collect all data necessary to prepare the budget; [PL 2001, c. 107, §2 (NEW).]
D. Shall attend all meetings of the county commissioners, except when the manager's removal or suspension is being considered; and [PL 2001, c. 107, §2 (NEW).]
E. Shall carry out other administrative duties assigned by the commissioners. [PL 2001, c. 107, §2 (NEW).]
[PL 2001, c. 107, §2 (NEW).]
