Commissioners

The Norfolk County Commissioners' Office is charged with implementing the policy, budget and other decisions of the elected Commission.  This office's recurring duties include personnel, purchasing, general administration and management information systems.  The County Director, as chief of staff, manages this implementation process on behalf of the county commissioners. Priority matters include:

-continually monitoring of county revenues in order to support the county's spending plans
-facilitating the collective bargaining process and managing ensuing contracts
-regularly monitoring such legal and legislative matters as may impact the county
-supporting maintenance and capital improvement projects at county court buildings
-assisting in delivery of engineering, surveying, traffic management services to constituent municipalities
-directing regional service projects with coalitions of town administrators
-providing necessary public information services on behalf of the County
-representing the commissioners' interests in dealing with other county departments and agencies

The Director is also responsible for overseeing the following divisions under the jurisdiction of the county commissioners:

Personnel Services is responsible for the overall administration and monitoring of the county's group insurance plans (health, dental, life) for the some 500 active employees and some 400 retirees.  This office handles an average of thirty calls a day from current employees and retirees needing assistance on insurance matters. Routine personnel papers are processed through this office, as well as matters of worker's compensation.

Purchasing is responsible for the bidding process on capital projects and for equipment, maintenance and repair contracts, as well as consultant contracts. This office assists county departments in obtaining goods and services at the most advantageous prices, consistent with quality and availability, and in compliance with applicable statutes.  The county offers blanket purchasing contracts on many items to its constituent 28 municipalities, resulting in cost savings to all participating towns. Other purchasing activities include inventory control and disposal of surplus equipment.

Administration generates the annual budget for approval by commissioners and advisory board and the state's county government finance review board. Staff manages the budgetary process on a regular basis, making such adjustments as prove necessary; processes the county tax and the retirement system assessments; publishes the annual report;  processes tax  abatement claims by taxpayers as requested. Office has authority to swear notaries to their duties and those appointed by the Commonwealth to serve on various boards. Staff also functions as recording secretary for weekly commissioners' meetings and performs other duties as assigned by commissioners or director.

Management Information Systems is shared with the Registry of Deeds, through joint staffing of a central office.   The County has implemented new computer systems and software to enhance data processing and financial reporting in the areas of payroll, purchasing, finance, and budgeting.