County Counsel
Overview
Mission Statement
To support the Board of Supervisors and County departments to advance the interests of the community through effective, ethical and creative legal counsel.
Department Overview
The County Counsel serves as the chief civil attorney for the County of Santa Cruz. The Office of the County Counsel manages all civil legal matters on behalf of the County and provides a full range of legal services to the County's Board of Supervisors, elected officials, departments, boards and commissions, and certain special districts.
Budget Summary
Department Budget Overview
Budget Summary of Changes
The County Counsel budget recommends funding 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) Attorney IV position to sustain solid, timely and cost-efficient legal services to the County in a time of expanding need. Additional increases in salaries and benefits reflect negotiated cost increases. Increases in services and supplies reflect costs for training and education and associated travel expenses in order to train newer staff as well as funding for new case management software.
Supplemental Budget Summary of Changes
Provides for 1.0 FTE Attorney IV by adding 0.50 FTE Attorney IV and funding 0.50 FTE Attorney IV starting October 1, 2023. This adds $211,258 in expenditures, which is offset by a billing rate increase that will result in $162,606 in intrafund cost allocations (as a contra-expense) and $48,652 in revenue from increased charges out. This rate has not been adjusted since 2015, and the increase is necessary to keep pace with the costs of providing services.
Open the Services Overview or Operational Plan Objectives below for more details.
Department Operations and Performance
Budget Details
The charts below show department expenditures and revenues by division and service. Click on the pie charts to drill down for more detail. Complete detail can be found on the County's Transparency Portal.
Expenses by Service
Expenses and Revenues over time
Personnel Details
The chart below provides the department personnel detail by division, service, and classification.
Footnotes
Indicates change from FY 2022-23 Adjusted Funded Positions (including Board-approved mid-year changes as of April 1, 2023).