(A) The county's obligations under this article and any memorandum of understanding made under it do not impair or affect its exclusive rights and responsibilities to:
(1) Determine the overall budget and mission of the county and any agency of county government;
(2) Maintain and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations;
(3) Determine the services to be rendered and the operations to be performed;
(4) Determine the overall organizational structure, methods, processes, means, job classifications, and personnel by which operations are conducted, and the location of facilities;
(5) Direct, supervise, and discipline employees in accordance with county policies;
(6) Hire, select, and establish the standards governing promotion of employees, and classify positions;
(7) Relieve employees from duties because of lack of work or funds, or when the county determines continued work would be inefficient or nonproductive;
(8) Take actions to carry out the mission of government in emergency situations;
(9) Transfer, assign, and schedule employees to meet daily operational needs;
(10) Determine the size, and composition of the work force;
(11) Set system performance standards;
(12) Establish employee performance standards and evaluate employees;
(13) Make and implement systems for awarding outstanding service increments, extraordinary performance awards, and other merit awards;
(14) Introduce new or improved technology, research, development, and services;
(15) Control and regulate the purchase of, use of, disposal of, machinery, equipment, supplies, tools, other property and facilities and, capital assets used in the delivery of fire and rescue services in Frederick County;
(16) Maintain internal security standards;
(17) Create, alter, combine, contract out, or abolish any job classification, department, operation, unit, or other division or service;
(18) Suspend, discharge, or otherwise discipline employees; and
(19) Issue and enforce rules, policies, and regulations necessary to carry out these and all other managerial functions which are not inconsistent with this article, federal or state law, or the terms of a memorandum of understanding.
(B) Exemption. This article does not limit the discretion of the county to voluntarily discuss with the exclusive representative any matter concerning the county's exercise of any right specified in this section. If any matter is discussed it is not subject to negotiation.
(C) Incorporation. The management rights specified in this section must be incorporated by reference in every memorandum of understanding or other agreement reached between the county and the employee organization.
(D) Volunteers. Any memorandum of understanding shall not restrain or restrict a person from serving as an active member or officer of a volunteer fire department, fire company, rescue squad, ambulance company, or other volunteer organization that provides fire and rescue services.
(Ord. 06-06-402, 3-7-2006; Ord. 14-23-678, 11-13-2014; Bill No. 20-01, passed 2-18-2020)