It is the intent of the Board of Supervisors in adopting this Article to provide effective centralized administration for the government of Tulare County, to the extent practical in a County not having a charter form of government. In order to successfully carry out this objective, it will be necessary to observe the following general principles:
(a) 
Day-to-day administrative decisions are the responsibility of the County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors as set forth in section 1-03-1010 through section 1-03-1050. The Board of Supervisors, and each individual member of the Board of Supervisors, shall:
(1) 
Recognize this delegation of authority and allow the County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to make day-to-day administrative decisions.
(2) 
Require all administrative matters to be routed to the office of the County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors.
(3) 
Consider the County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors its representative and support the County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and their recommendations.
(b) 
The County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors shall:
(1) 
Understand and accept the relationship of elected department heads to the voters, the Board of Supervisors, and to other department heads.
(2) 
Comprehend the importance of working with all department heads and make full use of their expertise to solve administrative problems.
(3) 
Maintain good communications with the Board of Supervisors, department heads, state and federal officials, City Managers, other public agency officials and the public.
(c) 
The department heads of the County shall understand the concept and need for coordination and centralization of administration and give their full cooperation to the County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors.
(Amended by Ord. No. 3633, effective 12-28-23)
(a) 
The office of County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors shall be appointed by a four-fifths (4/5) vote of the Board of Supervisors. The appointee shall be an at-will employee, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors. The salary and other benefits for the County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors shall be established by the Board of Supervisors and reviewed annually. The County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors shall maintain residence within the County of Tulare unless the Board of Supervisors approves otherwise.
(b) 
Upon determining the need to select a new County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, the Board of Supervisors shall identify by resolution the specific educational qualifications and work experience it seeks in a County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, as well as the selection criteria and process to be followed in connection with the recruitment.
(c) 
The County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors may be dismissed by the Board of Supervisors upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice. Such notice of dismissal shall be given upon a four-fifths (4/5) vote of the Board at a meeting of the Board. By a four-fifths (4/5) vote, the Board may also suspend or relieve the County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors of any duties during said thirty (30) day period. The County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors shall not be dismissed during the first one hundred eighty (180) days following the seating of a new Board of Supervisors member through a regular general election.
(d) 
The County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors shall give the Board of Supervisors thirty (30) days' written notice of intent to resign.
(Amended by Ord. No. 3633, effective 12-28-23)
The County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors shall supervise for and under the general direction of the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors as the Chairman is directed by the Board of Supervisors and shall:
(a) 
Administer and enforce policies established by the Board of Supervisors; promulgate rules and regulations as necessary to implement Board policies.
(b) 
Refer policy matters, and other matters beyond the County Administrative Officer's authority, to the Board of Supervisors for determination, direction, or authorization.
(c) 
Supervise and direct the preparation, revision, maintenance, coordination, and control of long-range plans for management of County property and the construction, alteration, and use of physical facilities necessary and proper to render County services under the jurisdiction of the Board.
(d) 
Represent the Board of Supervisors in the County's intergovernmental relationships in accordance with Board policies and instructions; when directed, represent the Board in dealing with individuals or groups concerned with County affairs.
(e) 
Attend all meetings of the Board of Supervisors, except when excused; when directed, attend meetings of commissions and committees established by the Board of Supervisors.
(f) 
Supervise preparation of the agenda, 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; propose necessary revisions of the Policy and Procedures Manual and Ordinance Code in conjunction with the County Counsel; make reports to the Board on County matters as needed.
(g) 
Implement the Board of Supervisors' legislative advocacy program, including the initiation of legislation approved by the Board of Supervisors that will benefit the County and county government and including the analysis of proposed state and federal legislation; make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for positions on proposed legislation; and review all department head requests involving legislative activities.
(h) 
Negotiate contracts on behalf of the Board of Supervisors, subject to the limitations and procedures established by state law or authorized by the Board.
(i) 
Recommend to the Board of Supervisors the preparation and revision of state and federal grants-in-aid and contract programs as are, in the County Administrative Officer's judgment, beneficial and necessary for the prevention or solution of problems in the County.
(j) 
Be encouraged to identify and recommend innovative methods and conduct continuous research in administrative practices so as to bring about greater efficiency and economy in county government; develop and recommend to the Board of Supervisors long-range plans to improve County operations and to prepare for future County growth and development.
(k) 
Provide guidance to the labor negotiation program of the County.
(l) 
Analyze the need for and make recommendations on hiring services, outside consultants, experts and advisors to perform and advise on any functions of county government.
(m) 
Generally supervise and delegate administrative responsibility to the County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors' administrative staff to assist in the performance of the County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors' duties as specified herein.
(n) 
Perform such other duties as may be lawfully prescribed by ordinance or by resolution or order of the Board of Supervisors.
(Amended by Ord. No. 3633, effective 12-28-23)
The County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors shall:
(a) 
Develop budget instructions and policies, revenue estimates, and departmental budget targets to guide departments in budget preparation.
(b) 
Recommend to the Board of Supervisors an annual County operating budget based on revenue projections, budget targets and proposed goals, objectives, work programs and projects developed by the various departments.
(c) 
Recommend to the Board of Supervisors a proposed capital budget based upon long-range plans for acquiring, constructing, or improving buildings, roads, and other County facilities; make recommendations to the Board on the acquisition and disposition of real property.
(d) 
Establish and oversee a control system or systems to assure that the various County departments and other agencies under the jurisdiction of the Board of Supervisors are operating within their respective budgets; make recommendations to the Board regarding requests for unforeseen and unbudgeted expenditures; approve fund transfers and budget revisions within appropriations, and make recommendations to the Board for fund transfer requests which require Board action under state law; establish policies for acquiring additional or replacement fixed assets.
(e) 
Keep the Board informed of the financial status of the County and of other matters of major significance, which affect the County.
(f) 
The County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors shall work closely with the County Auditor-Controller in the preparation and execution of the budget.
(a) 
With the exception of elective offices, appointive offices with fixed terms of office, and members of boards and commissions, the County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors shall select and recommend to the Board of Supervisors for appointment a qualified list of candidates to fill each vacancy occurring in a department head position which the Board of Supervisors has the power to fill. Department heads shall be appointed by four-fifths (4/5) vote of the Board of Supervisors.
(b) 
The County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors may recommend to the Board of Supervisors the dismissal or discipline of any department head, except for elective officers, appointive officers with fixed terms of office, and members of boards and commissions. Whenever such a recommendation is made, the person affected shall be given written notification, as required by law. The final notice of discipline or dismissal shall be given upon a four-fifths (4/5) vote of the Board at a meeting of the Board.
(Amended by Ord. No. 3633, effective 12-28-23)
The County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors shall evaluate the on-the-job performance of each department head, except for elective offices, appointive offices with fixed terms of office, and members of boards and commissions, at least once annually and prepare a written record of his review. The County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors shall discuss his draft evaluation with the department head. The final report shall be discussed with the Board of Supervisors and the department head.
The County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors shall perform those duties prescribed by State law for the County Clerk as ex officio Clerk of the Board of Supervisors or for the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and those duties prescribed by this Ordinance Code for the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors.
(a) 
No provision of this article is intended to vest in the County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors any duty or grant any authority, which is vested by general law in or on any other County officer or employee. No provision of this article shall be construed to delegate to the County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors any authority required to be performed by the Board of Supervisors. Unless expressly authorized by a majority of the Board of Supervisors, the County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors shall have no power to bind, obligate or commit the County or the Board of Supervisors in any manner. Guided by the principles established above, it is the intention of the Board of Supervisors in adopting this article to create a position to which may be delegated administrative duties, budgetary matters and departmental supervision to be performed in and under its direction, and such other duties as may be directed by the Board of Supervisors.
(Amended by Ord. No. 3633, effective 12-28-23)
Every applicant for the position of County Administrative Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors or holder of the position shall be deemed to know the provisions of this Chapter.