Orange County Municipal Code Art. 6 County Executive Officer

There is hereby created in and for the County of Orange a position to be known and designated as "County Executive Officer." The County Executive Officer shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors on the basis of educational qualifications and executive ability as demonstrated by responsible administrative experience. Upon appointment, the County Executive Officer becomes an employee of the County. His or her salary and other terms and conditions of employment shall be specially set by the Board of Supervisors.

(Code 1961, § 12.061; Ord. No. 2650, § 1, 2-6-73; Ord. No. 3515, § 1, 4-23-85; Ord. No. 3955, § 1, 12-19-95; Ord. No. 98-15, § 4, 12-8-98)

The County Executive Officer shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) He or she shall be the chief administrative officer of the County and, as such, act as the primary administrative advisor to the Board of Supervisors on all matters relating to the efficient and economical administration of County Government.

(b) He or she shall act as the executive agent of the Board of Supervisors in overseeing the implementation of authorized projects and programs; assuring appropriate coordination of departmental operations; and resolving interdepartmental problems and disputes.

(c) He or she shall directly manage all County functions and operations except those committed by law to elected officers of the County and be cognizant of the administration of all departments.

(d) He or she shall have and exercise direct oversight of all appointed department heads and their agencies and departments except for the County Counsel and Internal Auditor positions, which report directly to the Board of Supervisors. He or she shall exercise the full authority of the Board of Supervisors to select, appoint, evaluate, terminate and retain those department heads, except that the selection of an appointed department head by the County Executive Officer may be vetoed by a four-fifths vote of the Board.

(e) He or she shall conduct research and make studies and investigations which could result in greater economy and efficiency in County government. He or she shall approve on the basis of management principles such organizational changes as proposed by departments. He or she shall recommend to the Board the creation, dissolution, merger or modification of organizational elements or work programs as deemed necessary for the efficient and economical operation of County government. He or she shall recommend to the Board policies and adopt procedures for the orderly conduct of the County's administrative affairs.

(f) He or she shall cause the budget planning process to be compatible with approved County policies and long range plans. He or she shall review and evaluate the budget estimates of all departments and shall submit a recommended annual budget to the Board of Supervisors. He or she shall exercise continuous review of revenues and expenditures throughout the year to insure budgetary control and shall implement any necessary fiscal controls. All departmental request for supplemental appropriations and budget transfers which require Board approval shall be reviewed by the County Executive Officer for his or her recommendation.

(g) He or she shall conduct comprehensive management reviews and analyses of programs, projects and departments, and report his or her findings and recommendations to the Board.

(h) He or she shall be the head of the county executive office and, subject to budget approval, is authorized to organize, staff, and administer his or her office to carry out the responsibilities of his or her position.

(i) He or she shall attend all meetings of the Board of Supervisors and may participate in the discussion of any matter, but shall not vote.

(j) He or she shall perform such other duties as the Board of Supervisors may direct and shall keep the Board advised of any and all matters which may be pertinent to the discharge of its responsibilities.

(Code 1961, § 12.062; Ord. No. 2650, § 2, 2-6-73; Ord. No. 2873, § 2, 11-4-75; Ord. No. 3074, § 1, 8-1-78; Ord. No. 3292, § 1, 11-3-81; Ord. No. 3543, § 1, 10-1-85; Ord. No. 3955, § 1, 12-19-95; Ord. No. 98-15, § 4, 12-8-98; Ord. No. 00-6, § 1, 6-13-00; Ord. No. 02-003, § 1, 5-2-02)

No provision of this article is intended to vest in the County Executive Officer any duty or grant to him or her any authority which is vested by law in any other County officer or employee. Nothing herein shall be construed to delegate to him or her any authority or duty required to be performed by the Board of Supervisors. The County Executive Officer shall have no power to bind, obligate or commit the County of Orange or the Board of Supervisors in connection with any contractual obligation.

(Code 1961, § 12.063; Ord. No. 3955, § 1, 12-19-95; Ord. No. 98-15, § 4, 12-8-98)

As used in this article, "county" and "department" includes the County of Orange and its departments, the Orange County Flood Control District, the Orange County Harbors, Beaches and Parks District and all special districts governed by the Board of Supervisors. "Departmental heads" includes those persons elected to the office or appointed or employed by the Board, or otherwise, as the principal employee of a department as provided for in the Personnel Merit System of the County of Orange.

(Code 1961, § 12.064; Ord. No. 2650, § 3, 2-6-73)

Whenever the term "Director, Environmental Management Agency," "Building Official," "Director of Regulation," "Director, General Services Agency," "Director, GSA Real Estate," or "General Services Agency/Real Estate" are used in the Codified Ordinances of Orange County or in resolutions adopted by the Board of Supervisors, those terms shall mean the County Executive Officer or his or her designee or as otherwise designated by the Board of Supervisors.

(Ord. No. 3972, § 3, 12-3-96; Ord. No. 98-15, § 5, 12-8-98)