Trinity County Municipal Code Ch. 2.08 County Administrator

The purpose of this chapter is to establish the position of county administrative officer, and to define the nature, duties and responsibilities of the position.

(Ord. 1115 §1(part), 1988)

A. The county administrative officer shall have five years of increasingly responsible management experience in budgetary, financial, personnel and organizational duties in a local government agency, and the demonstrated ability to perform duties as outlined in the job description for this position. The county administrative officer shall have completed college course work equivalent to a bachelor's degree in public or business administration or a closely related field, with a master's degree preferred.

B. Vacancies in this position shall be filled through statewide recruitment measures.

(Ord. 1115 §1(part), 1988)

The county administrative officer shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of the board of supervisors, and may be removed from office by majority vote of the board of supervisors upon thirty days written notice of such removal; except that the county administrative officer shall not be given notice during the first one hundred twenty days following any change in membership of the board of supervisors except upon four-fifths vote of the board. Such notice of removal shall be given at a regular meeting of the board. The board may also relieve the county administrative officer of his duties during the period. The county administrative officer shall make every effort to give thirty days' written notice to the board prior to vacating the position.

(Ord. 1115 §1(part), 1988)

The salary of the county administrative officer shall be determined by the board of supervisors. In order to implement and carry out the duties of the office, the county administrative officer shall have such funds, space, equipment and personnel as are allowed by the board.

(Ord. 1115 §1(part), 1988)

Under the policy direction of the board of supervisors, the county administrative officer shall direct and coordinate the administrative activities of all county offices, departments and agencies, both appointive and elective, to the extent that such direction does not conflict with the statutory duties of the elected officials and appointed officials. Compliance with county administrative policies, programs and procedures shall be maintained. The county administrative officer shall enforce, on behalf of the board, all rules, regulations and policies of the board, unless enforcement of a particular rule, regulation or policy is vested in another by the board. The county administrative officer shall recommend to the board candidates for department and agency head appointment, except those that are otherwise provided for by law.

(Ord. 1115 §1(part), 1988)

Subject to the supervision and direction of the board of supervisors, the county administrative officer's duties shall include but not be limited to the following:

A. The county administrative officer shall be responsible to the board for the administration of county offices, departments and institutions, as set forth in Section 2.08.050, General Duties. This shall include the coordination of the work of all elective and appointive county offices, departments and institutions in such matters which are the responsibility of the board. Studies may be undertaken and investigations made which, in the discretion of the county administrative officer, are necessary or desirable, and/or have been requested by the board. The county administrative officer shall make recommendations to the board, after discussion with department heads, which will result in greater efficiency and economy in the administration of county affairs. The county administrative officer, to carry out such responsibilities, is authorized to make requests for information from any officer, department head or institutional head.

B. Under the direction of the board of supervisors, the county administrative officer shall be responsible for general budgetary planning for the county. To this end, the county administrative officer:

1. Shall, after consultation with department heads, prepare and recommend to the board of supervisors an annual budget for all departments for which the board of supervisors is responsible, and shall exercise continuous budgetary control after the adoption of such budget to insure departmental compliance with budgetary appropriations. To achieve the foregoing, the county administrative officer shall, after consultation with the county auditor-controller, recommend to the board of supervisors such budgetary and expenditure controls as are necessary or desirable;

2. Shall periodically report to the board of supervisors, as requested, concerning budgetary resources and needs of county government;

3. Shall review all requests for department budget transfers between budgetary appropriations, and thereafter make recommendations to the board of supervisors regarding such requests;

4. Shall have the authority to approve interdepartmental transfers of fixed assets and shall be responsible for managing real property pursuant to Government Code 25350.51 and 25350.60;

5. Shall approve the filling of vacant budget positions, and be responsible for the control and assignment of extra help, with budgetary constraints subject to the board of supervisors' direction. The county administrative officer shall make recommendations to the board concerning requests for additional extra help or new positions;

6. Shall have the authority to approve all out- of-county travel requests, once assured that they are within the budgetary allowance set for the requesting department, and make recommendations to the board of supervisors on requests for travel that are not included in an appropriated travel allowance;

7. Shall recommend to the board of supervisors the salaries and fringe benefits of nonrepresented elected and appointed department heads, and management, confidential and other nonrepresented county employees whose salaries are established by the board.

C. The county administrative officer shall maintain and direct central administrative services directed by the board of supervisors, such as building and property management, the use of office appliances and duplicating, and the maintenance of automotive or other major equipment, and control over its use.

D. The county administrative officer shall act as purchasing agent on behalf of the county.

E. The county administrative officer shall supervise and direct the administration of the data processing department and county personnel department.

F. The county administrative officer shall prepare and present to the board of supervisors plans and proposals, as may be directed by the board of supervisors, which relate to the conservation and effective use of the county's properties, facilities and resources, and the prevention, reduction and solution of problems created by the development and growth of county government. The county administrative officer shall recommend to the board of supervisors the assignment of space in county facilities to the various county departments, and shall prepare, and/or review as appropriate, and update annually for approval by the board a five- year capital improvement plan which shall include project priorities, costs, and suggested means of financing.

G. The county administrative officer shall periodically review, supervise and direct the preparation, revision, implementation and maintenance of a County Organizational Plan. In the performance of this duty, the county administrative officer shall, after consultation with the appropriate department head(s), recommend to the board of supervisors such transfers, reassignments, additions, deletions or consolidation of county functions, programs, services or staff as are deemed necessary and proper.

H. The county administrative officer shall attend the meetings of the board and may participate in the discussion of any matter.

I. The county administrative officer shall review and coordinate applications for state and federal grant funds.

J. The county administrative officer shall evaluate on-the-job performance of each nonelective department head, as directed by board of supervisors' policy. If so directed, the county administrative officer shall discuss the draft evaluation with the department head prior to the submission of the report to the board. If the final report indicates unsatisfactory performance, the report shall be discussed with the board and department head. The county administrative officer shall have the authority to recommend to the board of supervisors the dismissal or suspension of any nonelective department head appointed by the board. Whenever such recommendation is made, the person affected shall be notified in writing and, upon request, shall have the right to be heard in closed session by the board of supervisors. The county administrative officer shall make recommendations to the board of supervisors on merit increases for department heads, in writing, with a copy to the department head.

K. The county administrative officer is the employee relations officer and shall make recommendations on employee negotiations matters to the board and may conduct these negotiations and handle county grievance procedures as required.

L. The county administrative officer shall coordinate the preparation, execution and management of county contracts and leases in accordance with procedures established in cooperation with the auditor, county counsel and county clerk.

M. The county administrative officer shall supervise the preparation of the board's agenda in accordance with agenda policy adopted by the board of supervisors, and shall enforce compliance with scheduling procedures as set forth in the policy.

N. The county administrative officer shall perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by board directive, and may delegate functions to appropriate staff.

(Ord. 1115 §1(part), 1988)

The county administrative officer shall prepare an annual report and present it to the board of supervisors. It shall contain a summary of departmental activities for the preceding twelve-month period, and an appraisal of the financial circumstances. Included will be a review of the state of the county government. The report shall also contain recommended items for the immediate attention of the board.

(Ord. 1115 §1 (part), 1988)

To assist in carrying out the powers and duties of office, the county administrative officer, when accompanied by the affected department head, may enter any county department and investigate the operation thereof with respect to the efficiency and economy of the administrative procedures thereof, and may recommend to that department head any action relating to the use of personnel, equipment, facilities or budgetary expenditures.

(Ord. 1115 §1(part), 1988)

A. It shall be the duty of each department head to make available information relating to the administrative operation of the department and to otherwise cooperate with the county administrative officer in the investigation of the administrative operation of such department.

B. Prior to submittal to the board of supervisors by department heads, all requests regarding the expenditure or commitment of funds, or which otherwise commit county personnel or resources, shall be first sent to the county administrative officer. Such matters include, but are not limited to: contracts, leases, purchases, requests for proposals, travel requests, budget transfers, requests to fill vacant portions and/or create new positions, requests for changes in classification, title or salary, work plans, etc. Such requests shall be provided to the county administrative officer as far in advance as possible for consideration and review. Requesting departments shall provide enough information to evaluate the requested action. Where necessary, the county administrative officer shall route requests to the county auditor/controller and/or district attorney/county counsel for preparation, review, information, approval or other such action.

(Ord. 1115 §1(part), 1988)

No provision of this chapter is intended to vest in the county administrative officer any duty, prerogative or discretion now conferred by law upon any other officer of the county. Any citizen or agency dissatisfied with any decision of the county administrative officer may appear before the board of supervisors.

(Ord. 1115 §1(part), 1988)