REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  March  28, 2023
CATEGORY:  Regular - General Government-8.

SUBJECT:

Adopt a Resolution which appoints James R. Ross to the position of County Counsel, effective April 22, 2023, for a four-year term, and establishes Mr. Ross’s compensation at the F-Step of the established salary range ($110.035 per hour/$19,073.00 per month) with said compensation being subject to adjustment in accordance with the Shasta County Personnel Rules and other applicable County policies and actions by the Board of Supervisors and other applicable laws.

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Shelley Forbes, Director of Support Services (530) 225-5515

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Shelley Forbes, Director of Support Services

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt a Resolution which appoints James R. Ross to the position of County Counsel, effective April 22, 2023, for a four-year term, and establishes Mr. Ross’s compensation at the F-Step of the established salary range ($110.035 per hour/$19,073.00 per month) with said compensation being subject to adjustment in accordance with the Shasta County Personnel Rules and other applicable County policies and actions by the Board of Supervisors and other applicable laws.

DISCUSSION

Pursuant to the Shasta County Personnel Rules Section 6.11.C, Shasta County Code Section 2.16.020, and Government Code section 27641, the position of the County Counsel is appointed by the Board of Supervisors and shall serve for four years from the time of his appointment and until a successor is appointed.

The current County Counsel has notified the Board of his intent to retire with his last day in office being Friday, April 21, 2023.

A recruitment for the position of County Counsel was completed in March 2023 and qualified applicants were interviewed by the Board of Supervisors. It was determined that James Ross is the most qualified candidate.

Pursuant to Government Code section 24001, any person the Board wishes to appoint to a county officer position, such as the position of County Counsel, must be a registered voter in Shasta County, unless the Board of Supervisors finds that the best interests of the County will be served by waiving this requirement. James Ross is a registered voter in Shasta County. Mr. Ross is also licensed to practice law in the State of California.

James Ross has been serving in the Shasta County Counsel’s Office for more than 18 years. He was hired in the position of Deputy County Counsel III before promoting to Senior Deputy County Counsel and then to his current position of Assistant County Counsel in March 2010. With 13 years of experience as the Assistant Department Head in the Office of County Counsel, Mr. Ross is well versed in the duties and function of the Department and the County Counsel position. He capably fulfills his responsibility of Acting County Counsel and primary legal advisor to the Board of Supervisors, the County Executive Officer, and County Department Heads in the absence of the current County Counsel. He successfully guides and represents the County through litigation and other legal matters. His extensive knowledge and experience in public sector law and as an attorney for the County of Shasta is invaluable.

Based on his qualifications and vast experience, it is recommended that the Shasta County Board of Supervisors adopt a Resolution appointing Mr. James R. Ross to the position of County Counsel, effective April 22, 2023 for a four-year term, and establish Mr. Ross’s compensation at the F-Step of the established salary range ($110.035 per hour/$19,073.00 per month) for the position of County Counsel. Said compensation shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with the Shasta County Personnel Rules and other applicable County policies and actions by the Board of Supervisors and other applicable laws.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board may choose not to appoint Mr. Ross to the position of County Counsel or provide alternate direction to staff.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

The current County Counsel has approved the resolution as to form. The County Administrative Office has reviewed this recommendation.

FISCAL IMPACT

Salary and benefit expenses for the County Counsel position are included in the current FY 2022-23 Adopted Budget and subsequent proposed annual budgets.

cc:

Mary E. Williams, Acting County Executive Officer

Eric Magrini, Assistant County Executive Officer

Erin Bertain, Deputy County Executive Officer

Jenn Rossi, Senior Administrative Analyst

Rubin Cruse, County Counsel

Shelley Forbes, Director of Support Services

Monica Fugitt, Assistant Director of Support Services

Kari Kibler, Deputy Director of Support Services

Denae Harris, Personnel Analyst I

Melissa Mansfield, Agency Staff Services Analyst II – Conf

Samantha Jackson, Agency Staff Services Analyst I – Conf

Barbara Reynolds, Agency Staff Services Analyst I – Conf