The Calvert County, Maryland, Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) today approved a reorganization plan designed to improve overall government operations and services to the public. The plan does not call for staff reductions. Changes in the county’s organizational structure will take effect July 1, 2017.

The BOCC reviewed and approved the proposed organizational structure in open session during its regular meeting. To better meet the needs of the citizens, changes in the departments of Economic Development, Finance & Budget, General Services, Personnel and Public Safety are planned. The reorganization is a response to guidance established by the BOCC to ensure the effective and efficient use of county resources by determining alternative approaches to the way government is run.

“These changes set the foundation for a more effective county government now and in the years to come,” said BOCC President Tom Hejl. “More effective management of operations will help us provide improved service to Calvert County residents and also help identify talents and skills in the organization that can be grown and better utilized. The reorganization accomplishes a board goal for restructuring and efficiency and its implementation will have long-term benefits to Calvert County.”

“Restructuring has been a personal goal of mine since being selected for office in 2010,” said Board Vice President Evan Slaughenhoupt Jr. “It allows an organization to review and apply efficiencies and processes that make for better government operations. Today’s decision will lead to a better-aligned government that will ultimately better serve the public and our employees.”

As part of the reorganization, two new departments will be created: Parks & Recreation (formerly under the Department of General Services) and Communications and Media Relations (formerly under the Department of Economic Development). In addition, two departments will be renamed. The Office of Personnel will become the Department of Human Resources and the Department of Community Planning & Building will return to its designation as the Department of Planning and Zoning.

The departmental reporting structure will also be realigned along two primary functions. Departments responsible for operations and public services – Planning and Zoning, Community Resources, Economic Development, Parks & Recreation, Public Safety and Public Works – will report to County Administrator Terry Shannon. Departments providing internal support and administrative services – Communications & Media Relations, Finance & Budget, General Services, Human Resources and Technology Services – will report to Deputy County Administrator Wilson Parran.

Specific organizational changes include:

• Department of Economic Development – marketing and communications, public information, statistics and related functions will relocate to the new Department of Communications and Media Relations. The remaining functions in Economic Development will allow for a more focused effort on business development, business retention, agri-business and tourism.

• Department of Communications and Media Relations – the new department will take the county’s outreach program to the next level, providing a stronger emphasis on internal and external communications, media relations, website services and intergovernmental relations.

• Department of General Services – the department’s Division of Parks and Recreation will become the new Department of Parks & Recreation. Responsibility for the Calvert Marine Museum and the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum will move from General Services to the Office of the County Administrator. The remaining functions in General Services will enhance the operations of the county’s buildings and grounds, capital projects and mosquito control.

• Department of Parks & Recreation – the new department will place a stronger emphasis on program management and will absorb from the Department of General Services oversight of aquatics, business management, parks (including the Division of Natural Resources), recreation and the Chesapeake Hills Golf Course.

• Department of Community Planning & Building – the department will be renamed the Department of Planning & Zoning.

• Department of Finance & Budget – the Benefits Office will relocate to the new Department of Human Resources and the Purchasing Office will be renamed the Procurement Office.

• Office of Personnel – the office will be renamed the Department of Human Resources to better reflect its functions. It will include the Benefits Office to better align with the services and functions of personnel operations.

• Department of Public Safety – Animal Control will relocate from the Sheriff’s Office to Public Safety, along with management and oversight of the county’s new animal shelter.

The reorganization creates three new positions: director of Parks & Recreation, director of Communications and Media Relations and an executive assistant position. Costs associated with the creation of these new positions are approximately $300,000.

The governmental restructure is the first part of a two-phase process. The second phase, to be launched during Fiscal Year 2018, will include initiatives to enhance employee training, government accountability and problem solving.