Harford County was governed by county commissioners from the time it was created by the state legislature in 1773 until 1972. In December 1972, enactment of the Harford County Charter gave the county a system of home rule. The charter provided for legislative and executive branches of government.
The county executive is the chief executive officer of Harford County and heads the executive branch of the county government. Elected every four years, the county executive is aided by a Cabinet of directors from 23 departments and agencies, including Public Works, Treasury, Planning and Zoning, Community Services, Economic Development and Parks and Recreation.
The seven-member Harford County Council operates as the legislative branch. Six council members are elected every four years, one from each of the county's six voting districts. The remaining council member is elected at large to serve as council president. The panel meets in legislative session on the first three Tuesdays of each month.
The Harford County seat is Bel Air.
These biographies of Harford County elected officials are provided by the county:
County executive
County Executive James M. Harkins oversees local government operations for Harford County.
Managing a budget of $495 million, Harkins is charged with ensuring that government services are provided to the county's 218,590 citizens.
Harkins was sworn in as county executive in December 1998. Before his election, he served two terms in the Maryland House of Delegates, where he was ranking minority member of the House Judiciary Committee. He also served one year on the House Appropriations Committee.
Harkins is a 25-year veteran of the Harford County Sheriff's Office.
His experience as a police officer has led to his appointment to numerous criminal justice committees, including the Maryland Commission on Criminal Sentencing, the Harford County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and the Governor's Advisory Board for Justice Administration.
Since becoming county executive, Harkins has served on the Governor's Commission on Transportation Investment and the Governor's Task Force to Ensure Utility Services.
Harkins has also served as chairman of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, secretary of the Maryland Association of Counties, and he is a member of Fannie Mae's Southeast Regional Housing and Community Development Advisory Council.
