Trinity County Municipal Code Ch. 2.68 County Counsel

There is created, pursuant to the provisions of Government Code Section 27640, the office of county counsel for the county to be filled by appointment of the board of supervisors for a term of four years and to exercise those powers and duties set forth in Government Code Section 27640 et seq. as from time to time hereafter amended. The office of county counsel can be filled by either a county employee or a partner in a private law firm as set forth in Government Code Section 31000 and 74 Ops. Cal. Atty. Gen. 155 (1991).

(Ord. 1149 §1 (part), 1991)

(Ord. No. 1328, § 1, 3-26-13)

The county counsel shall be chosen on the basis of legal and executive ability, educations, experience and knowledge. The county counsel shall be licensed to practice in the state and shall be a member in good standing of the state bar of California at the time of his/her appointment and throughout his/her entire term as county counsel.

(Ord. 1149 §1(part), 1991)

The salary of county counsel shall be fixed by the board of supervisors from time to time by board resolution. Benefits shall be established as provided in Resolution 90-88 (or any subsequent resolution adopted by the board setting forth department head benefits) and Section 2.60.490(C).

(Ord. 1149 §l(part), 1991)

The county counsel shall discharge all duties as set out in Government Code Section 27642 and Section 26529. He/she shall act as legal advisor to the board of supervisors and as investigator in difficult cases for the board, represent the board in important public meetings and causes, and perform other related duties.

(Ord. 1149 §l(part), 1991)

Pursuant to Government Code, Section 27641 (a), (b), county counsel shall serve for four years from the time of his/her appoin,tment and until his/her successor is appointed, subject to the following:

A. He/she may be removed at any time by proceedings under Article 3 of Chapter 7 of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code.

B. He/she may be removed at any time by the board of supervisors for neglect of duty, malfeasance or misconduct in office, or other good cause shown, upon written accusation to be filed with the board of supervisors, by a person not a member of the board, and heard by the board and sustained by a three-fifths vote of the board.

(Ord. 1149 §1(part), 1991)

No provision of the ordinance codified in this chapter is intended to vest in the county counsel any duty, or grant him/her any authority, which is vested by general law in any other county officer or employee. No limitation on the authority and powers of the county counsel shall be implied from any omission in the ordinance codified in this chapter to delegate expressly to the county counsel any authority, duty, or function.

(Ord. 1149 §1(part), 1991)

The board of supervisors shall furnish county counsel with such assistants as will enable him/her to perform properly the duties of his/her office. The county counsel may employ assistants and assign them the duties prescribed in this chapter; however, the employment of assistants must be authorized by the board of supervisors by resolution.

(Ord. 1149 §l(part), 1991)

With the approval of the board of supervisors, county counsel may use the services of personnel of other departments and agencies under the control of the board of supervisors as well as the services of elected county officials and, as bugetarily allowed, may use the services of outside experts and consultants.

(Ord. 1149 §1(part), 1991)