TITLE 9

Counties

New Castle County

CHAPTER 13. County Departments

Subchapter V. Department of Administration

§ 1361. Office of Administrative Services; functions.

The Office of Administrative Services, managed by the Chief Procurement Officer, who shall be qualified for the position by education, experience and training, may perform the following functions:

(1) The Purchasing Section is responsible for obtaining goods and services for public purposes according to the laws and procedures intended to provide for the economical expenditures of public funds.

(2) The Information Systems Section provides technical leadership to the County by assisting the departments in meeting their business requirements through equipment and application software.

(3) The Mail Distribution and Printing Section provides full mail service and in-house printing services to all County agencies.

71 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  59

§§ 1362-1370. [Reserved].

§ 1371. Office of Finance; functions.

The Office of Finance, managed by the Chief Financial Officer, who shall be qualified for the position by education, training and experience, may perform the following functions:

(1) Prepare tax rolls and bills, including those required by any municipality, school district, or special district lying within or partially within the County if so authorized by law or such districts;

(2) Collect all taxes, license and permit fees, and other moneys that may be due to or receivable by the County, or any of its offices, departments or boards, provided that the Chief Financial Officer may, by rule, authorize the receipt of moneys directly by offices, departments, or boards, or may assign employees of departments to make such collections;

(3) Collect, when directed or authorized by law, all taxes, license and permit fees, and other moneys that may be receivable by the State, or by any public office, department or board not subject to the provisions of this title;

(4) Institute proceedings for the sale of taxable property upon which taxes are not paid within the period prescribed by law;

(5) Issue appropriate bills, assist in the issuance and servicing of indebtedness in connection with assessable improvements, and be responsible for the collection, custody, and payment of all moneys in connection therewith;

(6) Issue receipts for moneys collected by the Office;

(7) Maintain the treasury of the County, and deposit the moneys belonging thereto or in the custody thereof in any depository bank, to the credit of the County;

(8) Designate, with the approval of the Clerk of the County Council, the bank or banks to be used as County depositories and require them to fulfill all conditions prescribed by law or ordinance;

(9) Invest funds deemed by the Chief Financial Officer available for temporary investment in such obligations or in such manner as the County Executive may authorize;

(10) Assist in the issuance of all general and special bonds or other evidence of indebtedness of the County and service such debt in accordance with law and terms of indentures relating thereto;

(11) Make disbursements and payments of claims that it finds to be in correct amount, and justly due, and in accordance with prior authorizations adopted under the terms of the title or other state law;

(12) Prepare payrolls and supervise the preparation of related documents;

(13) Prepare and issue all checks;

(14) Keep accurate and complete accounts of all receipts and disbursements;

(15) Provide information pertaining to the financial affairs of the County;

(16) Perform such other functions as may be required of the Chief Financial Officer by this title, or other state law, or which may be assigned in writing by the County Executive.

9 Del. C. 1953, §  1301;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  271 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  59

§ 1372. Sworn information.

The Chief Financial Officer may require from any officer or employee of the County, or any claimant, such sworn information as may be necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Office.

9 Del. C. 1953, §  1302;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  271 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  59

§ 1373. General provisions relating to levy, billing and collection of taxes.

It is the intent of this subchapter that in New Castle County, the Office of Finance shall perform all of the functions assigned to the Receiver of Taxes and County Treasurer under this title prior to January 3, 1967.

9 Del. C. 1953, §  1310;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  271 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  59

§ 1374. Obligations and rights of property owners.

The adoption of this subchapter shall in no manner relieve any property owner of any obligation imposed upon him or her prior to May 26, 1965, with respect to the payment of any tax nor shall it in any manner increase the responsibility of such property owner nor deny him or her any right possessed prior to May 26, 1965, except to the extent specifically provided in this subchapter.

9 Del. C. 1953, §  1312;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  270 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  171 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  59

§ 1375. Collection of taxes.

The Office shall be responsible for the collection of all taxes, whether current or delinquent, and to that end shall perform all of the responsibilities with respect to collection and enforcement of collection vested prior to May 26, 1965, in the Receiver of Taxes and County Treasurer. To this end, the Office shall be entitled to the use of and shall be responsible for the application of all processes of law available prior to May 26, 1965, to the Receiver of Taxes and County Treasurer.

9 Del. C. 1953, §  1313;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  271 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  59

§ 1376. Records of tax delinquencies.

The Office shall maintain a suitable record of the payment or nonpayment of taxes with respect to each parcel of real property in the County.

9 Del. C. 1953, §  1314;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  271 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  59

§ 1377. Audit of accounts.

Each year the County Auditor shall audit the accounts of the Department to determine whether they properly reflect all payments and delinquencies of taxes which shall have been levied.

9 Del. C. 1953, §  1315;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  271 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  59

§§ 1378-1380. [Reserved].

§ 1381. Office of Human Resources; functions.

The Office of Human Resources, managed by the Chief Human Resources Officer, who shall be qualified for the position by education, experience and training, shall perform the following functions.

(1) Divide all County officers and employees into unclassified or classified service, and assign all classified employees into position classifications, based on duties performed and responsibilities assumed;

(2) Establish a uniform pay plan for all classified employees based on the classification of the position held;

(3) Regulate employment and promotion according to competency and fitness, to be ascertained when possible by competitive examination and, when not, by due consideration to qualifications and record performance;

(4) Establish tenure for all classified employees, providing for discipline, demotion and discharge for just cause only, with right of employee appeal through provisions outlined in the New Castle County Code; and

(5) Create uniform provisions governing provisions of related sections of the New Castle County Code.

9 Del. C. 1953, §  1451;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  271 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  59

§ 1382. Continuance of present system.

Any system of human resource administration with respect to the employees of New Castle County which shall be in effect on January 3, 1997, shall remain in effect until the County Council has acted in accordance with this subchapter.

9 Del. C. 1953, §  1452;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  271 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  59

§ 1383. Human Resources Advisory Board.

(a) County Council, by ordinance, shall provide for the establishment of a Human Resources Advisory Board. The Board shall consist of 3 members appointed by the County Executive, with the advice and consent of the County Council, who shall serve for terms of 6 years or until their successors are appointed.

(b) The ordinance shall further provide that:

(1) The members of the Board shall be residents of New Castle County;

(2) They shall be persons of recognized character and ability whose experience provides knowledge of human resources practices and procedures and knowledge and support of merit principles as applied to public employment;

(3) No member of the Board shall be a member of any local, state or national committee of a political party or an officer or a member of a committee of any partisan or political group, or shall hold or be a candidate for any political office; and

(4) The members shall be registered voters of the County and no more than 2 of the members shall be of the same political party.

(c) The ordinance shall further provide that the members of the Board shall elect 1 of their number to serve as chairperson, and that they shall be entitled to compensation of $50 per meeting, not to exceed 25 meetings in any fiscal year.

71 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  59

§ 1384. Pension plan for employees.

New Castle County may, by ordinance, establish a contributory funded pension program which shall be comprised of a qualified pension plan or plans as defined under the Federal Internal Revenue Service Code and Regulations.

71 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  59

§§ 1385-1390. [Reserved].

§ 1391. Office of Law; functions.

The Law Office, managed by the County Attorney, shall perform the following functions:

(1) Serve as chief legal advisor to the County Executive, County Council and all County departments, boards, offices and agencies;

(2) Represent the County in all legal proceedings;

(3) Perform any other duties prescribed by this title or by ordinance of the County Council.

9 Del. C. 1953, §  1441;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  271 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  59

§ 1392. Appointment of County Attorney.

The County Attorney shall be appointed by the County Executive with the advice and consent of the New Castle County Council. The County Attorney shall serve at the pleasure of the County Executive.

9 Del. C. 1953, §  1442;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  271 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  5983 Del. Laws, c. 132, § 2

§ 1393. Qualifications of County Attorney.

The County Attorney and all Assistant County Attorneys shall be members of the Delaware Bar.

9 Del. C. 1953, §  1443;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  271 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  59

§ 1394. Assistant County Attorneys.

The County Attorney shall appoint such Assistant County Attorneys as may be authorized by the County Council. The Assistant County Attorneys shall serve at the pleasure of the County Attorney. First Assistant County Attorneys shall be selected according to provisions of the Merit System of the New Castle County Code.

9 Del. C. 1953, §  1444;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  267 Del. Laws, c. 301, §  171 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  5973 Del. Laws, c. 376, §  1

§ 1395. Compensation of County Attorney.

The annual salary of the County Attorney and each Assistant County Attorney shall be determined by the County Executive.

9 Del. C. 1953, §  1445;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  271 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  59

§ 1396. Other employees.

The County Council may provide for such employees as may be necessary to perform the functions required by this title.

9 Del. C. 1953, §  1446;  55 Del. Laws, c. 85, §  271 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  59

§ 1397. Subpoena power.

(a) Whenever the County Attorney has reasonable cause to believe that any person or enterprise may have knowledge of, has been engaged in or is engaging in any conduct in violation of County laws, ordinances, regulations or any state law prohibiting violations of County laws, ordinances or regulations, the County Attorney may, in the County Attorney’s discretion, conduct an investigation of such conduct. The County Attorney is authorized before the commencement of any civil or criminal proceeding related to the violation of county laws, ordinances, regulations or any state law prohibiting violations of the County laws, ordinances or regulations to subpoena witnesses. The County Attorney may issue in writing and cause to be served on any person an investigative demand to compel the attendance of witnesses, examine witnesses under oath, require the production of evidence or documentary materials and require answers to written interrogatories to be furnished under oath.

(b) The production of documentary material in response to an investigative demand served under this section shall be made pursuant to a sworn certificate, in such form as the demand designates, by the person, if a natural person, to whom the demand is directed or, if not a natural person, by an individual having knowledge of the facts and circumstances relating to the production of materials, which certificate shall affirm that all of the documentary material required by the investigative demand and in the possession, custody or control of the person to whom the demand is directed has been produced and made available to the custodian.

(c) The County Attorney may, in the County Attorney’s discretion, require the production under this section of documentary materials prior to the taking of any testimony of the person subpoenaed. The required documentary materials shall be made available for inspection or copying during normal business hours at the principal place of business of the person served, or at such other time and place as may be agreed upon between the person served and the County Attorney.

(d) The examination of all persons pursuant to this section shall be conducted by the County Attorney or by a person designated in writing to be the County Attorney’s representative, before an officer chosen by the County Attorney who is authorized to administer oaths in this State. The statements made shall be taken down stenographically, or by a sound-recording device, and shall be transcribed.

(e) No person shall, with intent to avoid, evade, prevent or obstruct compliance in whole or in part by any person with any duly served investigative demand of the County Attorney under this section, knowingly remove to any place, conceal, withhold, destroy, mutilate, alter or by any other means falsify any documentary material or materials that are the subject of the demand. A violation of this subsection is a class E felony. Any suspected violations of this section shall be referred to the Office of the Attorney General.

(f) In the event a witness subpoenaed under this section fails or refuses to appear, or to produce documentary materials as provided herein, or to give testimony relevant or material to an investigation, the County Attorney may petition the Superior Court in the County where the witness resides for an order requiring the witness to attend and testify, or to produce the documentary materials. Any failure or refusal by the witness to obey an order of the Court may be punishable by the Court as contempt.

71 Del. Laws, c. 401, §  59