Chapter 2.84 — COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

Editor's note— Ord. No. 19-06, § 1(Exh. A), adopted August 13, 2019, amended Chapter 2.84 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Chapter 2.84, §§ 2.84.010—2.84.110, pertained to the county administrator, and derived from Ord. No. 83-514, 1983; Ord. No. 83-514-A, 1983; Ord. No. 99-13, 1999 and Ord. No. 07-07, 2007.

The purpose of this chapter is to define the duties, responsibilities, authority, and qualifications of the county administrative officer ("CAO").

(Ord. No. 19-06, § 1(Exh. A), 8-13-2019)

There is within the County of Mono, a county administrative office which consists, at a minimum, of a CAO and a human resources director. The CAO oversees the county administrative office.

(Ord. No. 19-06, § 1(Exh. A), 8-13-2019)

The CAO shall:

A.

Be chosen upon the basis of knowledge and skills in public administration, demonstrated administrative ability, and knowledge of public budgeting, personnel, finance, and organization.

B.

Be appointed by, and serve at the will and pleasure of the board of supervisors, in accordance with the provisions of his or her contract of employment.

C.

Maintain residence within the county during his or her tenure in office, but he or she need not be a resident of the county at the time of appointment.

(Ord. No. 19-06, § 1(Exh. A), 8-13-2019)

The salary of the CAO shall be established by the board of supervisors and be paid in the same manner as the salaries of other county employees. The CAO shall also be entitled to mileage allowance or reimbursement in an amount adopted by the board of supervisors, all actual and necessary budgeted expenses for conducting county business, dues and expenses to participate in state and national professional organizations of benefit to the county, and all other benefits conferred upon county management employees.

(Ord. No. 19-06, § 1(Exh. A), 8-13-2019)

The CAO is the chief administrative officer of the county and is responsible to the board of supervisors for the proper and efficient administration of all county offices, departments, institutions, and special districts under the jurisdiction of the board of supervisors. To this end, the CAO shall have those powers and duties set forth in this chapter and as reasonably implied therefrom, and shall be authorized to assign or delegate the administration and/or implementation of these duties to any department or person under the board's control, subject to the limitations imposed by law.

The board of supervisors and its members have delegated administrative responsibilities over county governmental activities to the CAO and shall, except for the purposes of normal inquiry, not intervene or detract from this delegation.

(Ord. No. 19-06, § 1(Exh. A), 8-13-2019)

The CAO shall:

A.

Administer and enforce policies established by the board of supervisors and promulgate rules and regulations as necessary to implement board policies;

B.

Refer policy matters and other matters beyond his or her authority to resolve to the board of supervisors for determination, direction, or authorization;

C.

Represent the board of supervisors in the county's intergovernmental relationships, including legislative matters, in accordance with board policies and instructions; when directed, represent the board in dealing with individuals or groups concerned with county affairs;

D.

Attend all meetings of the board of supervisors, except when excused; when directed, attend meetings of commissions and committees established by the board;

E.

Supervise the board clerks and assist, on behalf of the board of supervisors, the preparation of the agendas for board meetings; evaluate departmental and other requests for items to be added to an agenda to determine if such requests should be submitted to the board; make recommendations to the board on all agenda items; propose necessary revisions of the county code and county policies in conjunction with the county counsel; make regular reports to the board on county matters;

F.

Implement the board of supervisors' legislative advocacy program as reflected in the county's legislative platform or in accordance with specific board direction, including the initiation of legislation approved by the board that will benefit the county and county government; the analysis of proposed state and federal legislation; recommendations to the board for positions on proposed legislation; and review of all department head requests involving legislative activities;

G.

In conjunction with the county counsel and other relevant county officers and employees, negotiate and/or supervise the negotiation of all county contractual agreements. Execute on behalf of the board of supervisors, to the extent authorized by state law and Chapter 3.04 of this code ("Purchasing") county agreements. Administer and enforce agreements approved by the county;

H.

In conjunction with the finance director and other relevant county officers and employees, maintain or supervise the maintenance of inventories of all the county's real and personal property, and undertake activities to prevent the misuse, loss, theft, or damage of county property;

I.

Conduct continuous research on administrative, managerial and administrative practices in order to improve county government; develop and recommend to the board of supervisors long-range plans to improve county operations and to prepare for future county growth and development;

J.

In periods of extreme emergency, when there is not sufficient opportunity for the board of supervisors to meet and act, act in conjunction with the director of emergency services to take steps reasonably necessary, and within county authority, to respond to such emergencies.

K.

Review all requests to fill permanent and limited-term personnel positions to assure that the position is required and that budgetary resources are allocated; authorize and control the use of extra help and payment for overtime within available funds;

L.

Provide for the orientation and training of new county supervisors, members of boards, commissions and committees, and new department heads;

M.

Supervise the administration of employee and labor relations, classifications, recruitment and selection, employee training, personnel policies and procedures, and other performance programs;

N.

In conjunction with the director of public works and other relevant county officers and employees, exercise general supervision over all buildings and property leased, owned or under the control and jurisdiction of the county;

O.

In conjunction with the director of public works and other relevant county officers and employees, supervise building construction, alterations, maintenance, and the acquisition and utilization of county vehicles;

P.

Supervise county operations and support services such as copying, communications, technology and phones;

Q.

Appear, or designate a county employee to appear, in small claims court on behalf of the county.

(Ord. No. 19-06, § 1(Exh. A), 8-13-2019)

The CAO shall:

A.

Develop budget instructions and policies, revenue estimates, and departmental budget targets to guide departments in budget preparation;

B.

Recommend to the board of supervisors a proposed annual budget together with his or her recommendations to the board of supervisors for consideration and adoption. The CAO shall supervise and direct preparation of the budget and review and evaluate all items including expenditures, revenues, and services;

C.

After final adoption of the budget by the board of supervisors, the CAO shall administer, or cause to be administered, the budget and oversee continuous expenditure control. He or she shall review, or cause to be reviewed, all requests for appropriations and transfers and make recommendations to the board. He or she shall oversee expenditures of all county offices, departments, and institutions, including those departments in which the department head is an elected or appointed officer;

D.

The county administrator may establish a budgetary allotment system and such other expenditure controls which are necessary or desirable, and may authorize department heads to approve fund transfers except those requiring approval of the board of supervisors under state law;

E.

The CAO shall work with the finance director and other relevant county officers to keep the board informed of the financial condition and needs of the county and of other matters of major significance which affect the county.

(Ord. No. 19-06, § 1(Exh. A), 8-13-2019)

The CAO shall:

A.

Supervise the performance of county departments, within the limitations established by state law or the board of supervisors, by directing the establishment of standards, goals, and objectives for departmental performance and measuring the performance of individual departments and department heads against those standards and goals; assign projects and scrutinize department expenditures to assure that they are necessary and proper;

B.

Evaluate all proposed departmental programs and make recommendations to the board of supervisors regarding new programs or modification of existing programs; periodically evaluate existing departmental programs and recommend changes to the board where indicated;

C.

Evaluate departmental organization on a continuous basis; subject to the limitations of state law or the directives of the board of supervisors, initiate changes in interdepartmental organization, structure, duties, or responsibilities when warranted, including authorizing the transfer of equipment between departments; assigning space to county departments in county facilities, and oversee travel and business expense in accordance with rules and regulations established by the board; recommend to the board the transfer of positions between departments and the consolidation or combining of county offices, departments, positions or units;

D.

Evaluate department head performance annually, under the direction of the board of supervisors, and recommend compensation in accordance with policies established by the board; confer with department heads as necessary to discuss any areas requiring improvement and to suggest or direct solutions;

E.

Unless otherwise specified by this code or prohibited by state law, possess the authority to appoint, discipline, transfer, and dismiss all nonelected department heads in accordance with any applicable procedures provided by state or federal law or by any personnel ordinances, resolutions, handbooks, or memoranda of understanding (MOUs) duly adopted by the board of supervisors. In any cases where final action by the board of supervisors is mandated by applicable state law, actions by the county administrator shall not be effective unless and until ratified by the board of supervisors.

F.

When necessary or upon a department head's request, assist the department head in solving problems which inhibit efficient operation or create friction between departments; be responsible to the board of supervisors for ensuring that coordination exists between and among the various departments and offices, both elected and appointed;

G.

Provide, under the direction of the board of supervisors, management training and other resources to develop leadership qualities among department heads to build a county management team that can plan for and meet future challenges;

H.

Create a management advisory team consisting of all appointed and elected department heads, and any others deemed necessary or appropriate, which shall meet periodically and may provide input to the CAO and the board regarding matters of general policy.

(Ord. No. 19-06, § 1(Exh. A), 8-13-2019)