Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith has nominated scrupulous budget director Fred Homan to replace the retiring chief administrative officer, the county announced Tuesday.
If approved by the County Council, Homan would complete outgoing officer Tony Marchione?s term through May 2007, doubling as the county?s budget and finance director. The administrative officer manages the county?s daily operation.
“No one has more knowledge of how county government works than Fred Homan,” Smith said in a prepared statement. “I am delighted that he has agreed to complete Dr. Marchione?s term, and I hope he will consider continuing in the position when it is time for re-appointment to a full term.”
Council members said they likely will approve Homan, who has served as interim administrative officer on several occasions, most recently just prior to Marchione?s arrival in 2002, according to the county.
Known as a no-nonsense “numbers guy,” Homan joined county government as a management assistant in 1978 and was appointed budget director under former County Executive Dennis Rasmussen. Former county executive and now Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-District 2, promoted Homan to budget director.
“Council members have great respect for Fred Homan, and his appointment sends a very positive message to those in and out of government that the county?s renaissance will continue,” Council president John Olszewski, D-District 7, said in the statement.
Marchione, 74, will retire Nov. 30 to travel and spend more time with him family, he said in an earlier interview. Smith convinced him to come out of a three-year retirement after winning his first term in 2002. Marchione previously worked as superintendent of county schools.
Homan will retain his $154,000 salary, said county spokesman Don Mohler, which is $4,000 more than Marchione made as administrative officer.
