Apple Valley Municipal Code Ch. 2.16 Town Attorney

The office of the Town Attorney is hereby established. It shall consist of the Town Attorney and such assistants as may be authorized by the Council. The Town Attorney shall administer the office and be responsible for the successful performance of its functions. He shall serve under the direct supervision and control of the Council as its legal advisor. The Town Council may enter into a contract with a private law firm to perform the services of Town Attorney and, in that connection, may designate a Town Attorney and such Assistant Town Attorneys as are deemed necessary, and references in this Chapter to Town Attorney or the office of Town Attorney will include any applicable law firm and performance of said functions by any of its members or employed attorneys.

The Town Attorney may retain or employ other attorneys, assistants, or special counsel as may be needed to take charge of any litigation or legal matters or assist the Town Attorney therein; provided, however, that such employment or retainer shall be reported to the Town Council at the regular meeting thereof next following the employment or retainer.

The Town Attorney shall receive such compensation and expense allowance as the Town Council shall from time to time determine or contract for, and such compensation shall be a proper charge against such funds of the Town as the Town Council shall designate.

The functions of the office of the Town Attorney shall be to:

(1) Advise the Council and all Town officers in all matters of law pertaining to their offices;

(2) Furnish legal service at all meetings of the Council, except when excused or disabled, and give advice or opinions on the legality of all matters under consideration by the Council or by any of the boards and commissions or officers of the Town;

(3) Prepare and/or approve all ordinances, resolutions, agreements, contracts, and other legal instruments as shall be required for the proper conduct of the business of the Town and approve the form of all contracts and agreements and bonds given to the Town;

(4) Prosecute on behalf of the people cases for violation of Town ordinances when not otherwise prosecuted by the District Attorney of San Bernardino County; and

(5) Perform such other legal duties as may be required by the Council or as may be necessary to complete the performance of the foregoing functions.

(Ord. 3, 11-28-88)