To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sheriff’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: Sheriff Essick, x2781
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): All Districts
Title:
Title
Sheriff’s Office Legal Services
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize the Sheriff’s Office to seek outside legal counsel.
end
Executive Summary:
This action will allow the Sheriff to obtain outside legal counsel for matters in which County Counsel is unable to provide services.
Discussion:
Per California Government Code Section 31000.6, upon request of the Sheriff, the Board of Supervisors shall authorize the Sheriff to obtain outside legal counsel to assist the Sheriff in the performance of his duties in any case where County Counsel may encounter a conflict of interest. County Counsel has established an ethical wall to provide independent counsel to the Sheriff, IOLERO and the Board with respect to the Evelyn Cheatham Effective IOLERO Ordinance. However, County Counsel may not advise the Sheriff on potential legal remedies against actions of the Board of Supervisors or other County Departments for which a conflict of interest may arise. The Sheriff is exploring potential litigation and on that basis County Counsel is declaring a conflict.
Prior Board Actions:
N/A
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 19-20 Adopted |
FY20-21 Projected |
FY 21-22 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
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$50,000 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
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$50,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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$50,000 |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
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$50,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The agreement for outside legal counsel will have a not-to-exceed amount of $50,000 with department head approval. The Sheriff’s Office anticipates spending up to $50,000 of Sheriff’s Office FY 20-21 Recommended Budget appropriations allocated for legal service expenses. The Sheriff’s Office is not requesting any additional appropriations at this time. If additional resources are necessary, the Sheriff’s Office will follow County budgetary and service contracting policies.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Outside Legal Counsel Agreement
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A