Los Angeles County Municipal Code Ch. 5.51 Assessor Appraiser Trainee Cost Reimbursement Program

There is established the Assessor Appraiser Trainee Cost Reimbursement Program (hereinafter "Program").

(Ord. 97-0027 § 1 (part), 1997.)

The purpose of the Program is to establish a procedure whereby an entering employee appraiser (hereinafter "Appraiser") in the Office of the Assessor (hereinafter "Assessor") will be required, prior to appointment, to sign an agreement to reimburse the County for training costs incurred in the first year if the Appraiser terminates employment with the Assessor within two years of completion of the training period.

(Ord. 97-0027 § 1 (part), 1997.)

As a condition of employment an Appraiser is required to agree that he/she will reimburse the County for the direct and indirect costs of the training that he/she receives, on a pro-rated basis, if the Appraiser leaves the employ of the Assessor within two years commencing with the calendar month in which the Appraiser completes the training period and becomes a State Certified Appraiser.

(Ord. 97-0027 § 1 (part), 1997.)

As a requirement of the Program, the Appraiser will be required to sign a written agreement which provides for the terms and conditions of reimbursement as set forth in this chapter.

(Ord. 97-0027 § 1 (part), 1997.)

The amount of reimbursement for the direct and indirect training costs will be pro-rated, up to 24 months, and will be set forth in a schedule of reimbursement and be attached to the Reimbursement Agreement that is provided to the Appraiser prior to appointment as provided in Section 5.51.150.

(Ord. 97-0027 § 1 (part), 1997.)

If the Appraiser leaves the employ of the Assessor within two years after the completion of the training period, the pro-rated amount set forth in the schedule of reimbursement is due to be paid to the County in full, within three months of the leaving date.

(Ord. 97-0027 § 1 (part), 1997.)

The pro-rated costs of training will not be required to be reimbursed in the event the Appraiser is released on probation, discharged, is required to terminate employment due to a disability, illness or injury, is given the option to resign in lieu of discharge, or for any reason terminates employment prior to receiving State certification. In addition, the Assessor retains the discretion to not enforce the provisions of the Reimbursement Agreement in cases where to do so would result in an extraordinary hardship.

(Ord. 97-0027 § 1 (part), 1997.)

In the event the County incurs legal fees, court costs or attorney fees or any combination thereof, or any other costs in a effort to collect any delinquent sums owing pursuant to this chapter, the Appraiser will pay such additional expenses, including, but not limited to, legal interest on the amount of reimbursement due and unpaid, in addition to the portion of the reimbursement obligation then due.

(Ord. 97-0027 § 1 (part), 1997.)

The applicable statute of limitations for the County to bring suit to enforce the provisions of this chapter is three years, pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure § 338(a).

(Ord. 97-0027 § 1 (part), 1997.)

Any question as to the interpretation of the Reimbursement Agreement established under this chapter shall not be subject to either a grievance or an arbitration under any collective bargaining agreement or Memorandum of Understanding applicable to the leaving Appraiser.

(Ord. 97-0027 § 1 (part), 1997.)

The provisions of this chapter shall in no way modify any other terms and conditions of employment, and all such pre-existing terms and conditions of employment remain unchanged.

(Ord. 97-0027 § 1 (part), 1997.)

The provisions as set forth in this chapter1 in no way guarantee any right of continued employment.

(Ord. 97-0027 § 1 (part), 1997.)

This chapter does not create a property right. Requirement of reimbursement payment after an Appraiser has successfully completed probation does not modify a property right.

(Ord. 97-0027 § 1 (part), 1997.)

All merit system and Assessor rules, regulations and procedures, and Memorandum of Understanding that relate to Assessor personnel remain in full force and effect. The provisions of this section in no way alter, amend, modify or have any effect upon the authority of the Assessor to invoke disciplinary action.

(Ord. 97-0027 § 1 (part), 1997.)

Any person eligible for appointment to the position of Appraiser shall, prior to appointment, be given a copy of this chapter, a copy of the specific pro-rated costs of reimbursement which would be applicable to the Appraiser, and a copy of the Reimbursement Agreement. Such person would be given seven calendar days to review and examine this chapter, the specific reimbursement costs and the Reimbursement Agreement. Such person may consult with an advisor or an attorney prior to signing the Reimbursement Agreement.

(Ord. 97-0027 § 1 (part), 1997.)

For purposes of this chapter, the Assessor and the County are considered to be interchangeable.

(Ord. 97-0027 § 1 (part), 1997.)