To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Resources Department
Staff Name and Phone Number: Janell Crane, 707-565-2885
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Waiver of Residency - County Counsel
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution waiving the residency requirement of the incumbent County Counsel, Robert Pittman to reside in Sonoma County.
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Executive Summary:
This item waives the residency requirement for incumbent County Counsel, Robert Pittman, for the remainder of his term, through August 23, 2028.
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.
California Government Code sections 27640-27648 specify basic terms and conditions of the employment relationship between the County Counsel and California counties. Additionally, Code Section 24001 provides that “…a person is not eligible to an elective county or district office, unless the person is a registered voter of the county or district in which the duties of the office are to be exercised at the time that nomination papers are issued to the person or, if appointed to the elective office to fill a vacancy, at the time of the appointment of the person.”
County Counsel Pittman was initially appointed on September 22, 2020, for a four-year term, and was reappointed on September 10, 2024, for a new four-year term of September 23, 2024, through September 23, 2028. At the time of each appointment, County Counsel Pitman was a registered voter in Sonoma County.
California Code Section 27641.1 provides that “The residence qualifications for eligibility to a county or district office, required by Section 24001, may be waived by the board of supervisors as to any candidate or applicant for office of county counsel in such county.” Although County Counsel Pittman was a registered voter in Sonoma County at the time of his appointment, the Director of Human Resources requests the Board of Supervisors waive a residency requirement for County Counsel Pitman for the remainder of his term ending September 23, 2028.
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; 202-0939) - Initial Appointment
September 10, 2024 (item 32; 2024-0047) - Reappointment
Fiscal Summary
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FY25-26 Projected |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
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Attachments:
Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
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