Kern County Municipal Code Ch. 2.12 County Administrative Officer

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. A-393, § 2, adopted May 13, 2025, amended Ch. 2.12 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former 2.12, §§ 2.12.010—2.12.040, pertained to the chief administrative officer, and derived from Ord. G-6267 § 2 (part), adopted 1995; Ord. No. G-7817, § 2, adopted Jan. 6, 2009; Ord. No. G-8081, § 2, adopted Aug. 31, 2010; Ord. No. G-8573, § 2, adopted June 16, 2015; Ord. No. G-8655, § 2, adopted July 19, 2016; and Ord. No. A-368, § 3, adopted Feb. 11, 2020.

The position of county administrative officer is created. The county administrative officer shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the board of supervisors.

All references to the chief administrative officer in this Code shall mean the county administrative officer.

(Ord. No. A-393, § 2, 5-13-25)

In accordance with the provisions of the laws of the state of California, county ordinances, and the policies and orders of the board of supervisors, the county administrative officer shall, under the direction of the board of supervisors, perform the following duties:

A. Execute and coordinate the administrative policies and directives of the board of supervisors; furnish information and advice to county officers and department heads in matters of county administrative policies, practices and procedures; furnish consultation and coordination on public relations practices to appointed department heads and, when requested, to elected officials; report to the board regarding the manner in which county administrative, fiscal and ethical compliance policies and directives are carried out by the departments, services, boards, commissions and institutions of the county and make recommendations for the enforcement, modification or augmentation thereof; and

B. Perform continuous research, investigation and analysis of administrative practices and procedures, work processes and work methods for the improvement of efficiency, organization, economy of operation, program/service effectiveness and customer responsiveness; promote the effective and efficient delivery of county services to the public by providing quality advice and assistance to the board, county departments and employees; and

C. Supervise the financial fiscal affairs of the county, within the limits of the law and policies established by the board of supervisors; recommend fiscal and budgetary policies and procedures to the board; prepare budget projections and recommend budget development guidelines to the board; coordinate countywide budget planning, budget preparation, and budget review activities; review departmental budget requests and revenue estimates and make recommendations to the board concerning same; coordinate public hearings on the county's annual proposed budget; prepare financial and budget status reports, process fund and budget transfers, and establish such controls and reviews as are necessary for budget control; manage the county's debt financing programs and activities; and

D. Manage the county's capital and major maintenance projects and financing programs; coordinate facilities and office space planning activities; and supervise the general services division's activities related to the county's compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act; and

E. Conduct analyses of public policy issues and local governmental jurisdictional changes and advise the board concerning same. Coordinate intergovernmental relations activities with cities, special districts, other counties, and other agencies; and

F. Manage the county's legislative analysis and legislative advocacy program, and advise the board of supervisors on state and federal legislative issues; provide public information and assist with media liaison activities; and

G. Manage the functions and activities of the human resources division and advise the board regarding the optimum use of the division's resources; and

H. Manage the functions and activities of the economic and workforce development division and advise the board regarding the optimum use of the division's resources; and

I. Perform the function of chair of the county claims review board; and

J. Assist the board in the administration of the appointed department head performance evaluation program; and

K. Manage the data processing and information technology and automation central support services provided through the information technology services division, and advise the board regarding optimum use of data processing personnel, facilities and equipment; and

L. Manage the functions and activities of the general services division, and advise the board regarding optimum use of the division's resources; and

M. Attend meetings of the board of supervisors; advise and assist the board; perform specific work and undertake such studies as may be assigned by the board; undertake and be responsible for the administration and supervision of any governmental function or county department upon order of the board of supervisors; report to and be directly responsible to the board for the overall performance of their duties, functions, authority and relationship with other departments; and

N. Act as clerk of the board of supervisors pursuant to California Government Code Section 25100.5 and be responsible for duties as specified in Section 2.14.030 of this Code.

(Ord. No. A-393, § 2, 5-13-25)

It shall be the duty of all employees of the county, and the head of every department, institution, service, board or commission of the county to cooperate with the county administrative officer and to assist the county administrative officer in the performance of their duties and responsibilities, as said duties and responsibilities are set forth in this chapter. It shall also be the duty of the employees of the county and the head of every department, service, institution, board or commission of the county to make available to the county administrative officer any and all records in their possession or control which the county administrative officer may determine necessary to enable performance of their duties and responsibilities. However, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require any officer or employee of the county to make available to the county administrative officer any record or document which is confidential and not open to inspection by the county administrative officer under the laws of the state of California.

(Ord. No. A-393, § 2, 5-13-25)

No provisions of this chapter shall be deemed or construed to grant any authority or to impose any duty upon the county administrative officer which is by law or ordinance vested in or imposed upon any other officer, board, commission, employee or department, nor to delegate to said county administrative officer any duty or authority required by law to be performed or exercised by the board of supervisors, it being the intention of the board to establish the position of an employee to assist the board of supervisors in the performance of its duties, responsibilities and lawful functions, and to assign to the county administrative officer only such duties and responsibilities as may be lawfully delegated. The county administrative officer shall have no power to bind, obligate or commit the board of supervisors or the county of Kern in any matter except as set forth in this chapter or as may be lawfully directed by the board of supervisors of the county.

(Ord. No. A-393, § 2, 5-13-25)