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An Ordinance of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, directing that a referendum question amending Article III, Section 3 of the Allegheny County Home Rule Charter pursuant to the Home Rule Charter and Optional Plans Law, be placed on the May 2005 Municipal Primary ballot.
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WHEREAS, the Allegheny County Council is dedicated to improving the efficiency of County government; and
WHEREAS, the Allegheny County Council believes that the merging of some departments or offices will eliminate the duplication of functions and promote efficiency within our government; and
WHEREAS, the Allegheny County Council desires the public to maintain as much accountability as possible of the duties and responsibilities of their government thru the election process; and
WHEREAS, the Allegheny County Council desires to enhance government services to all residents.
The Council of the County of Allegheny hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The Allegheny County Board of elections is directed to place the following question on the May 2005 Municipal Primary Ballot:
"Shall Allegheny County's Home Rule Charter be amended to a) replace the Clerk of Courts, two Jury Commissioners, Prothonotary and Register of Wills with an elected Chief Clerk of Records; b) combine the Property Assessment Office with the Recorder of Deeds into an independent office run by an elected Assessment Officer; c) merge the County Police and Jail Guards into the office of the Sheriff; and d) retain the positions of District Attorney, Controller, Sheriff, Coroner and Treasurer as elected positions within county government?"
Section 2. Upon approval of the ballot question as presented in Section 1, Allegheny County's Home Rule Charter, Article III, Section 3 shall be amended to read as follows:
Section 3 Elected Officers
The elected officers of the County shall be 15 County Council Members, the Chief Executive, Chief Clerk of Records, Assessment Officer, District Attorney, Controller, Sheriff, Coroner and Treasurer. The offices and positions of the independently elected Clerk of Courts, Jury Commissioners, Prothontary and Register of Wills are hereby merged upon the election of the Clerk of Records. The office and position of the Recorder of Deeds is hereby merged upon the election of the Assessment Officer.
Section 3. Upon approval of the ballot question as presented in Section 1, Allegheny County's Home Rule Charter, Article III, Section 4 shall be amended to add the following subsections:
Section 4 Qualifications of Elected Officers
g) In the event that a position of an independently elected official is merged or consolidated, the incumbent shall be considered a qualified candidate for the elected officer position that is then created.
h) The Chief Assessment Officer shall be certified as a Pennsylvania Certified Appraiser or be qualified as a real estate broker.
i) The District Attorney shall be qualified as a Pennsylvania attorney.
j) The Controller shall be qualified as a Certified Public Accountant or possess a Bachelor's Degree.
k) The Sheriff shall be certified as a Pennsylvania Police Officer.
l) The Coroner shall be qualified as a medical doctor or certified medical examiner.
Section 4. Upon approval of the ballot question as presented in Section 1, Allegheny County's Home Rule Charter, Article IX shall be amended to add a Section 6 as follows:
Section 6 Merger and Consolidation of Offices
If the merger or consolidation of any office results in a need to eliminate positions, said elimination shall be accomplished only through attrition.
SPONSORED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WAYNE FONTANA
SECTION 5. If any provision of this Ordinance shall be determined to be unlawful, invalid, void or unenforceable, then that provision shall be considered severable from the remaining provisions of this Ordinance which shall be in full force and effect.
SECTION 6. Any Resolution or Ordinance or part thereof conflicting with the provisions of this Ordinance is hereby repealed so far as the same affects this Ordinance.