There shall be a county executive, who shall be the chief executive officer of the county. He shall be either an elective county executive as provided for in section 302.15 of the Revised Code, or an appointive county executive as provided for in section 302.16 of the Revised Code.

In case of the absence or disability of the county executive as determined by the board of county commissioners, his duties shall be performed during his absence or disability by whomsoever the board of county commissioners designates by resolution.