The County Legislature, and all officers and employees thereof,
shall comprise the Legislative Branch of Dutchess County government.
All meetings of the County Legislature shall be open to the
public, and its records open to public inspection.
If the County Legislature shall fail to select a Chair within
30 days after that office shall have become vacant for any reason,
the Clerk of the County Legislature, on the 31st day after its occurrence,
shall certify in writing that the position of the Chair has been vacant
for 30 days, and shall cause such certification to be delivered by
hand that same day to the office of the County Executive. The County
Executive, as soon thereafter as practicable, shall appoint a member
of the County Legislature to serve as its Chair for the balance of
the calendar year. Such appointment shall be in writing and filed
with the Clerk of the County Legislature and the County Clerk. The
Clerk of the County Legislature, upon receipt of such appointment,
shall notify each member of the County Legislature of the County Executive's
action by written notice of appointment duly mailed to the address
of each member of the Legislature as given to the Clerk of the County
Legislature.
The County Legislature may authorize any member, officer or
employee of the Legislative Branch to attend any convention, conference,
school, or other function for the betterment of County government.
Within the appropriation therefor and when so authorized, all necessary
and actual expenses in connection therewith shall be paid from County
funds.
The County Legislature may establish a revolving petty cash
fund, in such amount as it may determine, for any officer or unit
of County government, except the Dutchess Community College. Expenditures
from a petty cash fund may be made only for payment in advance of
audit of properly itemized and verified bills or claims. After audit
of such bills or claims by the Comptroller, the Commissioner of Finance
shall reimburse to such petty cash fund, from the appropriate budgetary
item or items, the amount so audited and allowed.
The Seal of the County of Dutchess shall be the Seal of the
County Legislature. Such Seal shall be used for all authorized and
required purposes.