To: County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator, Human Resources
Staff Name and Phone Number: M. Christina Rivera, 707-565-2048; Janell Crane, 707-565-2885
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Reappointment of County Counsel
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution reappointing Robert Pittman as County Counsel for a four-year term, commencing September 23, 2024, through September 23, 2028, at the I-step of the position’s salary range and with other County benefits and compensation in accordance with Salary Resolution 95-0926.
end
Executive Summary:
This item re-appoints the incumbent County Counsel, Robert Pittman, for a term of four years, from September 23, 2024, through September 23, 2028, as designated by California Government Code sections 27640 and 27641. Mr. Pittman will be reappointed at the I-step of the position’s salary range, $337,362 per year, and he will be eligible for other County benefits and compensation in accordance with Salary Resolution 95-0926.
Discussion:
The Sonoma County Counsel’s Office is the primary provider of legal services to County departments and over 25 special districts, including the Board of Supervisors, Grand Jury, Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, Community Development Commission, Sonoma County Water Agency, Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), and the Sonoma County transportation Authority. County Counsel either directly handles or coordinates outside counsel in the defense of all claims filed against the County, and proactively works to minimize risk and assist in policy development and implementation within the legal services area.
County Counsel performs legal services related to contracting, real property transactions, public works, and fiscal services, while also providing legal representation in juvenile dependency and conservatorship cases, and advises the Department of Health Services and the Human Services Department on public health, including communicable disease control, emergency medical services, adult protective services, Medicare and Medicaid compliance, privacy, behavioral health, and contracting.
The department has 41.25 full-time equivalent allocations and has a Fiscal Year 2024-2025 operating budget of $14.8 million dollars.
California Government code sections 27640-27648 specify basic terms and conditions of the employment relationship between the County Counsel and California counties. Section 27640 specifies that the County Counsel shall serve four-year terms of office.
County Counsel Pittman was initially appointed on September 22, 2020. This Board action re-appoints Robert Pittman as County Counsel for a new four-year term of September 23, 2024, through September 23, 2028, while maintaining the current annual salary rate of $337,362 including all other benefits and compensation as prescribed in the County’s Salary Resolution 95-0926.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
September 15, 2020 (Item 20; 2020-0939) - Initial Appointment
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY24-25 Adopted |
FY25-26 Projected |
FY26-27 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
|
|
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
|
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Ongoing annualized salary and benefit costs associated with existing positions have been incorporated into the department’s budget. These actions do not increase any budget appropriations.
|
Staffing Impacts: |
|
|
|
|
Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
|
N/A |
|
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Resolution reappointing Robert Pittman as County Counsel
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.