The county executive officer shall have the following duties, responsibilities and
authorities:
(a)
The county executive officer shall be the chief administrative officer of the county
and, as such, act as the primary advisor to the board of supervisors on all matters
relating to the efficient and effective administration of county government.
(b)
The county executive officer shall review and make recommendations on board agenda
items; make periodic reports to the board on county matters and assure that items
proposed for placement on the board's agenda are complete and sufficient for board
decision-making; the county executive officer may withhold items from an agenda as
necessary. This provision does not apply to members of the board of supervisors, each
of whom has an unfettered ability to place items on the board agenda.
(c)
The county executive officer shall act as the executive agent of the board of supervisors
in the county's intergovernmental relationships. The county executive officer shall
oversee the county's implementation of authorized intergovernmental projects and programs,
assure appropriate coordination of departmental operations and resolve problems and
disputes.
(d)
The county executive officer shall be responsible for the management of all county
functions and operations except those committed by law to elected or appointed officers
of the county and be cognizant of the administration of all departments. In so doing,
the county executive officer shall ensure that board of supervisors and administrative
policies, regulations and operating programs are implemented. The county executive
officer shall coordinate interdepartmental activities and assist department directors
in solving problems that inhibit efficient operations within a department or create
friction among departments. In cases of interdepartmental disputes, the county executive
officer shall mediate and seek a resolution of conflict.
(e)
The county executive officer shall be responsible for the assignment of work areas,
space planning and technology infrastructure among county departments.
(f)
The county executive officer shall exercise direct oversight of all appointed department
directors and their agencies and departments except for the county counsel, who reports
directly to the board of supervisors. Such appointed department directors and their
agencies shall report to and be supervised by the county executive officer. The county
executive officer shall annually evaluate the performance of appointed department
directors and submit such evaluations to the board of supervisors. Except as expressly
provided by California law, the county executive officer shall select, appoint, suspend,
remove and retain appointed department directors. The board of supervisors shall approve
the appointment or removal of an appointed department director.
(g)
The county executive officer shall manage the administration of county personnel ordinances
including the recruitment, examination, appointment or dismissal of affected county
employees, direct the county employee relations program and make, or cause to be made,
recommendations to the board of supervisors concerning existing personnel conditions,
or requests for additional personnel, or for any change in the classification or salary
of any county employee, officer or official, presented by any department director,
county officer or official thereof, or recognized employee organizations.
(h)
The county executive officer shall conduct research and make studies, investigations
and recommendations that could result in greater economy, efficiency and effectiveness
in county government or improvement to county operations. The county executive officer
shall approve on the basis of management principles such organizational changes as
proposed by departments. The county executive officer shall recommend to the board
of supervisors the creation, dissolution, merger or modification of organizational
elements, departments or work programs as deemed necessary for the efficient, and
effective operation of county government. The county executive officer shall recommend
to the board policies and procedures for the orderly conduct of the county's administrative
and operational business and preparation for future county growth and development.
(i)
The county executive officer, with prior approval of the board of supervisors, may
retain the services of such consultants, experts or advisors, as the county executive
officer deems necessary for the performance of designated duties and responsibilities.
(j)
The county executive officer shall be the head of the county executive office and,
subject to budget approval, is authorized to organize, staff, and administer this
office to carry out all of its responsibilities.
(k)
The county executive officer shall cause both the operating and capital budget planning
processes to be compatible with approved county policies and long range plans. The
county executive officer shall direct the preparation of and evaluate the budget requests
of all departments including actual and estimated expenditures, revenues, reserves
and designations. The county executive officer shall direct the preparation of the
proposed budget including its timing, schedule, forms and format of department input.
The county executive officer shall submit the proposed annual operating and capital
budgets to the board of supervisors and shall exercise continuous review of revenues
and expenditures to ensure budgetary integrity. The county executive officer shall
implement any necessary fiscal controls and keep the board of supervisors informed
of the financial status of the county. All departmental requests for supplemental
appropriations and budget revisions shall be reviewed by the county executive officer
for approval or denial with a recommendation to the board of supervisors for final
approval or denial.
(m)
The county executive officer shall, from time to time, conduct comprehensive management
reviews and analyses of programs, projects and departments, and report the findings
and recommendations to the board of supervisors.
(n)
The county executive officer shall attend all meetings of the board of supervisors,
except when excused, and may participate in the discussion of any matter, but shall
not vote. The county executive officer shall represent the board of supervisors in
the county's governmental relationships, in accordance with board policies and instructions.
(p)
The county executive officer shall assist the board of supervisors in the development
and implementation of the county's strategic plan, goals and priorities, assigning
responsibility for their implementation; perform such other duties as the board may
direct; and keep the board advised of any and all matters that may be pertinent to
the discharge of its responsibilities.
(q)
Nothing contained in this article shall be construed as restricting the ability of
county officers or appointed department directors from directly contacting members
of the board of supervisors.
