Marin County Municipal Code Ch. 2.08 County Executive

There is created in and for the county a county office to be known and designated as that of "county executive." The position of county executive shall be filled by appointment by the board of supervisors at a salary to be set by the board.

(Ord. 3196 § 1, 1995: Ord. 1398 § 1, 1964: Ord. 1182 (part), 1962: Ord. 788 § 1)

(Ord. No. 3800, § 2, 2023)

The county executive shall be a person having demonstrated administrative and executive ability as shown by at least five years of experience in private or public employment in a responsible or executive position, requiring the planning and execution of work programs or administrative operations, the budgeting and control of expenditures, and the coordination of varied activities.

(Ord. 1398 § 2, 1964: Ord. 1182 (part), 1962: Ord. 788 § 2)

(Ord. No. 3800, § 2, 2023)

The county executive shall serve at the pleasure of the board of supervisors.

(Ord. 1398 § 3, 1964: Ord. 1182 (part), 1962: Ord. 788 § 3)

(Ord. No. 3800, § 2, 2023)

The county executive shall have the following powers, duties, and responsibilities:

A. Generally advise, assist, act as agent for, and be responsible to the board of supervisors for the proper and efficient administration of the affairs of the county, and enforce ordinances, orders or regulations established by the board.

B. Administer, supervise, direct, and control the administration of all county offices, departments and institutions, in such matters that are the concern and responsibility of the board of supervisors.

C. Be responsible for the coordination of the work of all county offices, departments and institutions, elective or appointive, and shall resolve all interdepartmental problems and disputes.

D. Make such studies and investigations as the executive believes necessary or desirable and make any study or investigation the board requests. All county officers and departments shall assist in the preparation of such studies as directed by the executive.

E. Make recommendations to the board of supervisors that the executive believes will result in greater efficiency and/or economy in the administration of county affairs and may require reports from any officer, department head or institutional head for this purpose.

F. Maintain and direct all central administrative services, including insurance, supervise preparation of the agenda, the county's legislative advocacy program and control and assignment of extra help.

G. Before the board of supervisors makes any administrative appointment to a county office, department or institution, the county executive shall recommend one or more qualified persons for the position. The executive may discipline, suspend, or remove any person holding an administrative position in cases where the board has the power to appoint. The executive shall evaluate the performance of all appointed department heads with input from the board. This subsection does not apply to the office of county counsel, and does not alter procedures otherwise provided for by statute, ordinance, or agreement.

H. Represent the county in its intergovernmental relationships.

I. Recommend a long-term plan of capital improvements with accompanying financial plans.

J. Recommend an annual county budget and exercise continuous budgetary control after the adoption of the budget. All departmental budgets shall be reviewed by the county executive prior to submission to the board of supervisors. All requests for appropriations and transfers shall be reviewed by the county executive and none shall be approved or disapproved by the board of supervisors until the executive makes a recommendation to the board. The executive may at any time recommend to the board of supervisors such budgetary and other expenditure controls that the executive believes to be necessary and desirable.

K. Attend all meetings of the board of supervisors and may participate in the discussion of any matter, but the executive shall have no vote.

L. In conjunction with the county personnel commission, direct the establishment and enforcement of personnel policies and practices including personnel classification and pay plan.

M. Make and enforce such rules and regulations as the executive deems necessary to effectuate his/her duties hereunder.

N. Perform such other services and duties as the board supervisors may direct and shall have the duty of keeping the board of supervisors fully advised of any and all matters which may be pertinent to the discharge of their responsibilities.

O. Act as the clerk of the board of supervisors.

P. Act as a deputy purchasing agent solely for the purpose of entering into and executing contracts for professional services.

(Ord. 3331 § 1, 2001: Ord. 3196 § 2, 1995: Ord. 1398 § 4, 1964: Ord. 1182 (part), 1962: Ord. 788 § 4, 1962)

(Ord. No. 3800, § 2, 2023)

Nothing herein shall be construed to delegate to the county executive any authority or duty required to be performed by the board of supervisors. Except as provided in Section 2.08.051, the executive shall have no power to bind, obligate or to commit the county or the board of supervisors in connection with any contractual obligations.

(Ord. 3299 § 1(A), 1999: Ord. 1398 § 5, 1964: Ord. 788 § 7, 1962)

(Ord. No. 3800, § 2, 2023)

The county executive, acting in the capacity of deputy purchasing agent, is authorized to enter into and execute on behalf of the county any contract for professional services up to the amount prescribed under Government Code Section 25502.5, which relate to purposes previously approved and budgeted by the board of supervisors, subject to ratification of such approval and execution by the board of supervisors. The county executive shall submit contracts executed under this section to the board of supervisors for ratification once each quarter of the fiscal year.

(Ord. 3331 § 2, 2001: Ord. 3299 § 1(B), 1999)

(Ord. No. 3800, § 2, 2023)

The office of county executive has replaced the previous title of county administrator. The county executive has the authority to act pursuant to any provision in the Marin County Code using the previous county administrator title.

(Ord. No. 3809, § 2, 2024; Ord. No. 3812, § 2, 2024)