Sutter County Municipal Code Ch. 15 County Administrative Officer

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 1619, § 1, adopted June 28, 2016, repealed the former chapter 15, §§ 15-010—15-050, and enacted a new chapter 15 as set out herein. The former chapter 15 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. 913, Sec. 1; June 28, 1983; Ord. 319, Secs. 1, 2, 4(a)—(c), 4(e)—(j), 6; Oct. 3, 1996.

The purpose of this Chapter is to establish the position of the County Administrator Officer and to define the nature, duties, and responsibilities of the position.

(Ord. No. 1619, § 1, 6-28-2016)

The County Administrative Officer shall be an individual with demonstrated administrative and managerial capabilities with a minimum of five years of experience in an executive and/or administrative position. The individual shall possess extensive knowledge of: modern principles of public administration, organization, and management; principles and practices of labor relations; principles and practices of governmental budgeting; the powers, limitations, organization, methods, and financial difficulties of County government; the principles of effective public relations; and, State and Federal programs applicable to local government. The individual shall have the ability to: analyze and make recommendations on administrative and technical issues; interpret, explain, and apply applicable laws, rules and regulations; plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of others; prepare and present comprehensive reports and recommendations; and, establish and maintain effective relationships with public officials, administrators, employees, and the public. The individual shall also have demonstrated skills in coordinating the activities of administrative officials while encouraging their development and administrative ability.

(Ord. No. 1619, § 1, 6-28-2016)

(a) The County Administrative Officer shall be appointed and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors and may be removed from office by a majority vote of the Board of Supervisors except that the County Administrative Officer shall not be removed during the first 120 days following any change in membership of the Board of Supervisors unless done so by a four-fifths vote of the Board of Supervisors.

(b) Upon removal, the Assistant County Administrative Officer shall assume the duties of the office and act as the Interim County Administrative Officer until such time as a successor is appointed by a majority vote of the Board of Supervisors.

(c) No member of the Board of Supervisors shall be eligible to be appointed, either permanently or on an interim basis, to the position of County Administrative Officer while sitting as a member of the Board of Supervisors or within six months after expiration of the member's term or resignation.

(Ord. No. 1619, § 1, 6-28-2016)

The Board of Supervisors may, at its discretion, enter into a written agreement with the County Administrative Officer under such terms and conditions as agreed to between the parties including, but not limited to, compensation, benefits and removal from office. If the Board elects to enter into such an agreement, it shall not be bound by the provisions of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 1619, § 1, 6-28-2016)

The salary and other compensation of the County Administrative Officer shall be established by the Board of Supervisors and shall be paid by the Auditor-Controller in the same manner as the salaries and benefits of other County employees are paid.

(Ord. No. 1619, § 1, 6-28-2016)

(a) The County Administrative Officer shall advise, assist, and act as the agent for, and be responsible to, the Board of Supervisors for the administration of the affairs of the County as directed by the Board, and shall enforce all ordinances, orders, policies, rules and regulations as directed by the Board.

(b) The County Administrative Officer shall have such other powers and duties as the Board of Supervisors may assign hereafter by motion, resolution, or ordinance.

(c) The Board of Supervisors and its members shall provide non-policy, administrative direction to the various departments and divisions only through the office of the County Administrative Officer.

(d) The Board of Supervisors recognizes the unique legal responsibilities and voter accountability of independently elected County Department Heads and therefore, the County Administrative Officer shall be responsible for working with elected County Officials to ensure management accountability for the resources allocated to them by the Board of Supervisors.

(Ord. No. 1619, § 1, 6-28-2016)

The County Administrative Officer shall:

(a) Administer and enforce the policies and procedures established by the Board of Supervisors and shall promulgate rules and regulations as necessary to implement those policies and procedures.

(b) Refer policy and other matters beyond his/her authority to the Board of Supervisors for determination, direction, and/or authorization.

(c) Investigate the affairs of the County and any department or division thereof; investigate complaints relating to matters concerning the administration of the government of the County; and, see that all franchises granted by the County are faithfully observed.

(d) Be notified of, and attend all meetings of the Board of Supervisors unless excused; make reports to the Board on County matters; evaluate departmental and other requests to determine if such requests should be submitted to the Board; and, make recommendations to the Board on agenda items.

(e) In conjunction with the County Counsel, propose necessary revisions to County ordinances, rules, policies and procedures.

(f) Provide the following legislative functions:

(1) Implement the Board's legislative advocacy program, including the initiation of legislation approved by the Board of Supervisors that will benefit the County and County government;

(2) In coordination with the County Counsel, provide analysis of proposed State and Federal legislation;

(3) Make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for positions on proposed legislation; and,

(4) Review all department head requests involving legislative activities.

(g) Produce, or cause to be produced, such records, documents and related information as may be necessary to permit the Board of Supervisors, or its agent or delegee, to conduct a management audit of his/her office or any other office or department in the County as the Board shall deem necessary.

(h) Supervise the County's insurance programs and advise the Board of Supervisors of recommended changes.

(i) In conjunction with the Auditor-Controller and the Purchasing Agent, maintain or supervise the maintenance of inventories of all of the County's real and personal property.

(j) Conduct research in administrative practices for the purpose of bringing about greater efficiency and economy in County government.

(k) Develop and recommend to the Board of Supervisors, long-range plans to improve County operations and to prepare for future County growth and development.

(l) Exercise control of County government in the event of proclaimed emergencies per the Emergency Operations Ordinance (Chapter 500 of the Sutter County Ordinance Code). In such an instance, both the County Administrative Officer and the Chair of the Board of Supervisors shall have the authority to hire necessary extra personnel, purchase necessary supplies and equipment, and take other actions necessary to meet the needs occasioned by such emergencies.

(Ord. No. 1619, § 1, 6-28-2016)

The County Administrative Officer shall:

(a) Recommend to the Board of Supervisors an annual budget containing recommendations on departmental operations, revenue and financing projections, proposed goals, objectives, and work programs for all activities under the control of the Board of Supervisors;

(b) Develop budget policies and issue instructions to guide departments in budget preparation;

(c) Provide periodic reports to the Board of Supervisors on the status of expenditures and revenues based upon budget control systems established by the Auditor-Controller and recommend procedures to control expenditures when required to stay within the Board's approved annual budget; and,

(d) Make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding requests for unforeseen and unbudgeted expenditures and make recommendations on transfer requests which require Board action.

(Ord. No. 1619, § 1, 6-28-2016)

The County Administrative Officer shall:

(a) Monitor the overall performance of departments; review the methods and procedures used by those departments; and, formulate recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for increased efficiency;

(b) Evaluate existing and proposed programs as directed by the Board of Supervisors and make recommendations for improved effectiveness;

(c) Upon direction of the Board of Supervisors, evaluate departmental organizations and recommend any needed changes in organization, structure, duties or responsibilities;

(d) Evaluate the performance of non-elective department heads in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Sutter County Personnel Rules and Regulations and approve salary increases based upon merit and demonstrated performance; confer with department heads regarding performance issues noted and make recommendations for improvement; and, comply with any existing agreement between the County and the Sutter County Superior Court regarding the evaluation of the Chief Probation Officer.

(e) Promote the development of team management systems within the County organizations to develop leadership opportunities among department heads to build a County management team that can plan for and meet future challenges;

(f) Develop and recommend new programs, management policies and procedures for consideration by the Board of Supervisors; and,

(g) Periodically review permanent and limited-term personnel positions to assure that the positions are required and that funds are available; authorize advanced-step recruitment upon recommendation and justification of a department head; and, authorize and control the use of extra help.

(Ord. No. 1619, § 1, 6-28-2016)

Pursuant to the provisions of Government Code section 25355, the County Administrative Officer shall be authorized to accept gifts, bequests, and devises on behalf of the County of Sutter provided the value of the gift, bequest, or devise does not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Within 30 days of acceptance of a gift, bequest or devise, the County Administrative Officer shall provide notification of such acceptance to the Clerk of the Board.

(Ord. No. 1619, § 1, 6-28-2016)

(a) The County Administrative Officer shall represent the Board of Supervisors in labor negotiations by coordinating the process of negotiating agreements and/or memorandums of understanding with the representatives of employee organizations and unrepresented employees in compliance with the Board's instructions and authorizations.

(b) Before the Board of Supervisors makes any administrative appointment to a County office, department, or agency, the County Administrative Officer shall recommend one or more qualified persons for the position. The County Administrative Officer may recommend that the Board of Supervisors suspend or remove any person holding an administrative position where the Board of Supervisors has the power to appoint and remove such person. Prior to taking action on any such recommendation, the person involved shall have the right to address the Board of Supervisors.

(Ord. No. 1619, § 1, 6-28-2016)