As noted in our Policy Brief from last month, the biggest recommendation to come from the Manager’s sunset review report was to suggest that the Department of Real Estate be absorbed into the Department of Administrative Services. The former handles within the organizational structure what used to be overseen by the elected Row Office of Recorder of Deeds. The latter is almost a “catch all” department that has divisions related to elections, veterans’ affairs, weights and measures, and property assessment.
An ordinance will be introduced at the upcoming County Council meeting to begin that process.
In terms of headcount, Real Estate has 53 employees, and Admin Services has 221. The reorganization is to be introduced to County Council at its next regular meeting and from the new business summary of the ordinance “…the duties, functions, and obligations…” of the Real Estate Department would be housed within Admin Services. It is would be safe to assume that, unless there are efficiencies to be found because of duplication of service, the new Admin Services Department would be around 270 employees, roughly the size it was in 2008.
