Subchapter II. County Executive
TITLE 9
Counties
New Castle County
CHAPTER 11. COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND COUNTY COUNCIL
Subchapter II. County Executive
§ 1111. Election and term.
(a) At the first general election in November following May 26, 1965, and each fourth year thereafter, a County Executive shall be elected at large from New Castle County, except that if such first general election is in a nonpresidential election year, then the County Executive thus elected shall serve a term of 2 years and thereafter shall be elected each fourth year in a presidential election year. He shall take office on the first Tuesday in January following his election. He shall serve no more than 2 consecutive terms of 4 years each, not counting any partial terms he may serve as a result of vacancy in the office of County Executive or as a result of his election to a term of 2 years as aforesaid. Following any 2 consecutive 4 year terms served by the County Executive, he may again hold the office provided that a 4 year term has intervened since he last held the office.
(b) The County Executive shall be the chief executive officer of the County. The County Executive shall be responsible to the people of the County for the executive and administrative work of the County. The County Executive shall be recognized as the head of the County Council for all ceremonial purposes, the purposes of military law, and the acceptance of service of civil process.
9 Del. C. 1953, § 1111; 55 Del. Laws, c. 85, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 401, § 15.;
§ 1112. Qualifications.
The County Executive shall be a citizen of the United States, a qualified elector of New Castle County, and shall have been a resident of New Castle County for at least 5 years immediately preceding his election. Removal from the County as a resident shall be construed as vacating the office of County Executive. He shall be no less than 27 years old when elected to the office of County Executive.
9 Del. C. 1953, § 1112; 55 Del. Laws, c. 85, § 1.;
§ 1113. Compensation.
The annual salary of the County Executive shall not be less than $67,000 and may be changed by ordinance or upon a recommendation by the New Castle County Compensation Commission which has been adopted and ordained by County Council.
9 Del. C. 1953, § 1113; 55 Del. Laws, c. 85, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 493, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 401, § 16.;
§ 1114. Vacancy in office.
Whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of County Executive by reason of death, resignation, removal from office or other cause, the President of the County Council shall serve as County Executive until the latter office is filled as a result of an election. If a vacancy in the office of County Executive occurs more than 30 days prior to the date of a primary election in which county officers are nominated, the vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the term in the next succeeding general election and the County Executive elected in this manner shall take office on the first Tuesday following such election. If a vacancy in the office of County Executive occurs less than 30 days prior to the date of a primary election in which county officers are nominated, the vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the term by the President of the County Council. If the President of the County Council becomes County Executive, the President's office as an elected official of the county governing body shall become vacant.
9 Del. C. 1953, § 1114; 55 Del. Laws, c. 85, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 401, § 15.;
§ 1115. Absence or disability.
During the temporary absence or disability of the County Executive, the Chief Administrative Officer shall act as County Executive and may sign contracts or other legal papers or instruments which the County Executive is authorized to sign. The County Executive shall designate, in writing, a head of a county department who shall act as County Executive during the temporary absence or disability of both the County Executive and the Chief Administrative Officer. The Acting County Executive may sign contracts or other legal papers or instruments which the County Executive is authorized to sign.
9 Del. C. 1953, § 1115; 55 Del. Laws, c. 85, § 1.;
§ 1116. Powers and duties.
The County Executive shall:
(1) See that the duties and responsibilities of the executive and administrative agencies of the County are properly performed and that the work of the county offices, departments, and agencies is properly coordinated;
(2) See that the laws of the State required to be administered by the County, the provisions of this title, ordinances, and regulations of the County are enforced;
(3) Make appointments to positions for which he has appointing authority and to other positions for which no appointing authority is prescribed;
(4) Except as otherwise provided in this title, shall remove or suspend at his pleasure any person whom he may appoint to a position of trust or emolument;
(5) Receive and examine complaints made against any officer or employee for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office;
(6) Have full authority to examine the books, papers, records, accounts, moneys, securities and property of the County in the possession of all offices, departments, or boards which he supervises, and may in his discretion delegate such authority to 1 or more competent persons;
(7) Require the fiscal officers of the County to make such special audits, investigations, or examinations as he may deem appropriate;
(8) Require of officers, departments, or agencies under his supervision the submission of any reports he deems appropriate;
(9) Sign all contracts, bonds, or other instruments requiring the assent of the County, except those which other officers are authorized by this title or by the County Council under this title, to sign;
(10) Administer oaths necessary or appropriate for the performance of his duties;
(11) Prepare and submit to the County Council, and execute after adoption, the annual budget, capital program, and capital budget;
(12) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by ordinance or by law.
9 Del. C. 1953, § 1116; 55 Del. Laws, c. 85, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 401, § 15.;
§ 1117. Performance of functions by contract.
Whenever in this title any function or duty is assigned to any officer, department or board for performance, such officer, department or board may perform such function by contract to the extent authorized in writing by the County Executive.
9 Del. C. 1953, § 1117; 55 Del. Laws, c. 85, § 1.;
§ 1118. Civil defense.
The County Executive shall by rule provide for the organization and performance of such civil defense functions as shall from time to time be performed by the County.
9 Del. C. 1953, § 1118; 55 Del. Laws, c. 85, § 1.;
§ 1119. Communications between County Executive and County Council.
The County Executive, orally or in writing, may present messages, information, and recommendations to the County Council.
9 Del. C. 1953, § 1119; 55 Del. Laws, c. 85, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 401, § 15.;
§ 1120. Power to appoint Chief Administrative Officer and Department Directors.
(a) The County Executive shall appoint a Chief Administrative Officer who shall serve at the pleasure of the County Executive. The Chief Administrative Officer shall be qualified by education, training and experience for the duties to be performed.
(b) The County Executive, with the advice and consent of the County Council, shall appoint the General Manager of Land Use, the General Manager of Special Services, the General Manager of Community Services, the Chief Procurement Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Human Resources Officer, as well as the heads of any subsequently created departments, who shall each serve at the pleasure of the County Executive.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of state or county law, on February 9, 2005, any persons then serving in any of the positions enumerated in this section shall cease to be classified service members of the New Castle County Merit System, but may thereafter continue to serve at the pleasure of the County Executive.
9 Del. C. 1953, § 1120; 55 Del. Laws, c. 85, § 1; 59 Del. Laws, c. 336, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 401, § 17; 75 Del. Laws, c. 9, § 1.;
§ 1121. Powers and duties of Chief Administrative Officer.
(a) The Chief Administrative Officer shall assist the County Executive with duties and responsibilities and, subject to the policies and directives of the County Executive, shall have general supervision over the executive, administrative and operational departments of the County.
(b) The Chief Administrative Officer, on behalf of the County Executive, shall prepare the annual operating budget, capital program, and capital budget as provided by this chapter. The Chief Administrative Officer shall supervise the execution of the budgets and prepare reports and information concerning the status of the financial and other affairs of the County which will keep the County Executive, County Council and the public informed as to all offices, departments, and agencies receiving appropriations from the County Treasury.
9 Del. C. 1953, § 1121; 55 Del. Laws, c. 85, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 401, §§ 15, 18, 19.;
§ 1122. County executive restructuring power.
The County Executive of New Castle County shall have the power to merge, establish, rename, and modify departments, boards, agencies, commissions, and offices of the county and may prescribe the functions and management systems of all departments, boards, agencies, commissions and offices of the county, subject to approval of County Council. The authority granted pursuant to this section shall supersede any conflicting provisions within this title.
71 Del. Laws, c. 40, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 401, § 20; 75 Del. Laws, c. 9, § 2.;