Harford County Executive Barry Glassman continues to reshuffle county government operations.
On Tuesday night, Glassman sent the County Council another trio of executive orders to shift personnel and responsibilities among county agencies.
One executive order transfers the Parks and Recreation Department's building maintenance employees to the Division of Facilities and Operations, which is under supervision of the director of administration.
Another transfers the county's 14-member security force from the director of administration's office to the sheriff's office.
The third moves the county's Housing Agency under the Department of Community Services.
Those orders follow two Glassman sent the council a week earlier, one which transfers the county's animal control operations to the sheriff's office and the other which moves personnel responsible for safety and safety training from the Division of Risk Management in the director of administration's office, to the Department of Human Resources.
Operational efficiency is cited as the goal in all five executive orders, which will take effect 60 days from their introduction to the council, unless any are voted down by a super-majority of five of the seven council members.
Some positions may get eliminated or consolidated with the changes, which has been acknowledged by Glassman.
"The Glassman administration is streamlining county operations to improve efficiency and productivity," spokesperson Cindy Mumby said Wednesday. "This includes utilizing existing resources more effectively, consolidating similar functions and avoiding duplication of effort."
Mumby said it "makes sense" to bring the county safety officer under human resources because "duties of the safety officer include safety training for county employees and developing safety policies, procedures and programs."
She noted the parks and recreation personnel who maintain fields and other outdoor facilities will stay with that agency. Having those responsible for building maintenance under facilities is a case where employees doing similar work "should be grouped together."
Councilman Joe Woods said he doesn't support shifting the security force to the Sheriff's Office, but there was no further discussion about it during the council meeting.
"I don't see the benefit of it," Woods said Thursday afternoon. "What's the advantage? It doesn't change the size of government."
Woods said he believes there won't be the day-to-day security coverage at county buildings that currently exists.
"That's my understanding," he said, explaining that having security present when buildings are open is important if there's an emergency or a personnel issue arises or there's a problem with a visitor.
While Woods also said it is unlikely he can muster the votes to defeat the executive order, "I still feel it's inappropriate."