There is created in the county a department of agriculture, parks, and natural resources.
(Ord. 6203-B § 2, 2023)
The department of agriculture, parks, and natural resources shall be responsible for fulfilling the various necessary functions concerning the responsibilities of the agricultural commissioner as found in the California Food and Agriculture Code; fulfilling the responsibilities of the sealer of weights and measures as found in the California Business and Professions Code; providing oversight and direction of county support for the University of California Cooperative Extension program; planning, developing, operating, and maintaining parks, open space, trails, and beaches in unincorporated Placer County, including vegetation management, landscaping, and grounds maintenance on county owned or operated properties; and providing land use planning, management of natural resources and other land use services related to agriculture and forestry to the citizens of Placer County, except for those functions which may be vested by the board of supervisors with the community development/resource agency.
(Ord. 6203-B § 2, 2023)
The duties and services to be furnished and performed by the department of agriculture, parks, and natural resources shall include the following:
A. 
Agricultural Commissioner. Perform all duties as required of the agricultural commissioner in the California Food and Agricultural Code and Section 2.60.080. Direct and participate in agricultural promotional activities and provide input related to agricultural land use issues and policy concerns as directed by the board of supervisors and county executive.
B. 
Sealer of Weights and Measures. Perform all duties as required of the county sealer of weights and measures pursuant to Division 5 of the California Business and Professions Code.
C. 
Regional Forest Health. Direct and participate in efforts to plan and implement projects intended to improve the health of the county's forested lands for the purpose of reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire, and protecting the county's communities, natural resources, infrastructure, economy, and quality of life.
D. 
Farm Advisor. Oversee and direct all county support for the University of California Cooperative Extension program including the county budget, facility use, and county staff support. Serve as the primary county contact in business dealings and negotiations between the county and University of California.
E. 
Fish and Game Commission. Oversee and direct all county support for the Fish and Game Commission including the county budget, facility use, and county staff support.
F. 
Parks and Open Space.
1. 
Operation and Maintenance. Operate and maintain parks, open space, trails, and beaches in unincorporated Placer County, landscaping and grounds maintenance for facilities, rights-of-way, and properties owned or operated by the county. Provide vegetation management on county owned or operated properties.
2. 
Acquisition and Development. Acquire and develop property for park, open space, trail, recreational facilities, and related purposes.
3. 
Supervise Special Districts. Supervise and administer special districts having department of parks and open space functions, in coordination with other departments when district functions overlap with other department functions.
G. 
Perform Other Services as Directed. Perform any and all other services of a department of agriculture, parks, and natural resources that may be ordered by the board of supervisors and county executive.
(Ord. 6203-B § 2, 2023)
A. 
Qualifications. The director of agriculture, parks, and natural resources shall be a person who in the opinion of the board of supervisors has had broad and considerable experience in administration and agriculture, parks, and natural resources management and operation.
B. 
Administrative Head of Department. The director of agriculture, parks, and natural resources shall be the administrative head of the department of agriculture, parks, and natural resources.
C. 
Reports Directly to County Executive. The director of agriculture, parks, and natural resources shall report directly to the county executive in all administrative matters and shall be under the control of the county executive and through the county executive to the board of supervisors.
D. 
Powers and Duties—Generally. The director shall administer the department and carry out the general policies of the board in conformity with the estimate of expenditures fixed in the budget as finally adopted by the board as/or thereafter revised by appropriate action of the board.
E. 
Powers and Duties—Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures. The director may serve as the agricultural commissioner/sealer of weights and measures if the director possesses the required licenses to hold these positions.
F. 
Powers and Duties—Employment of Assistants. The director shall employ such assistants and employees as may be necessary in conformity with the budget and county policies and procedures with respect to personnel and subject to the approval of the board of the salary or other compensation to be paid.
G. 
Powers and Duties—Supervision of Personnel. The director shall have sole supervision and jurisdiction over personnel and over the assignments of personnel engaged in department work.
H. 
Powers and Duties—Rental and Purchases of Equipment. The director may purchase, lease, or hire such equipment as may be necessary to perform the necessary functions of the department of agriculture, parks, and natural resources in conformity with the budget and policies of the county with respect to purchase and rentals and subject to approval of the board as to price and rental.
I. 
Powers and Duties—Preparation of Budget—Action on Budget by Board of Supervisors. The director shall each year prepare a tentative budget covering all proposed expenditures for the ensuing fiscal year for county agriculture, parks, and natural resources purposes. The director shall submit the same as the recommended budget to the board of supervisors at the same time as other county departments submit their recommended budgets. The board of supervisors shall hold public hearings on the proposed agriculture, parks, and natural resources budget at the same time as the general county budget is considered and after like notice. In adopting the budget such board may make such changes and revisions as it considers will serve the public interest.
(Ord. 6203-B § 2, 2023)