Except where the context otherwise requires, the definitions set forth in the following sections shall apply throughout this Chapter.
"County vehicle" means a motor driven, self propelled device of the type defined in subsection (h) of section 145 of this Ordinance Code which is owned or leased by the County or is otherwise in the custody and control of the County.
"County employee" means any person employed by the County, including full-time employees, part time employees, seasonal employees, extra help employees and all other categories of persons employed by the County. The term "County employee" also includes all officers of the County, both elective and appointive, except such officers as are expressly excluded by the provisions of this Chapter. The term "County employee" also includes employees of the State of California, the University of California, and any political subdivision of the State of California, when such persons are entitled to receive reimbursement from the County for their travel expenses, or use County vehicles for such travel, pursuant to authority contained in statutes, agreements or other lawful authority. The term "County employee" does not include independent contractors who are performing services for the County.
"Department head" means the person who is in charge of, and responsible for the supervision of, any department established by the Board of Supervisors, and also includes all elective officers. The term "department head" also includes the person in charge of, and responsible for the supervision of, employees of the State of California, the University of California, and any political subdivision of the State of California, when such employees are entitled to receive reimbursement from the County for their travel expenses, or to use County vehicles for such travel, pursuant to authority contained in statutes, agreements or other lawful authority.
Each department head who has one or more County employees other than himself in his department shall designate a subordinate in his department who may approve travel outside the County of Tulare pursuant to this Chapter in the absence of the department head. This subordinate shall be either the assistant to the department head or an employee of equal or similar responsibility in the department. At any time that the department head is not present at his office, the designated subordinate shall exercise the duties and powers delegated to the department head by this Chapter with the same effect as if performed by the department head.
At any time that the County Administrative Officer is not present at the Tulare County Courthouse, the person authorized by the Board of Supervisors to act in the absence of the County Administrative Officer shall exercise the duties and powers delegated to the County Administrative Officer by this Chapter with the same effect as if performed by the County Administrative Officer.