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 is status quo with no changes to staffing. Increases in salaries and benefits reflect scheduled and negotiated cost increases only. Decreases in services and supplies reflect one-time expenses in 2023-24. Internal rate changes implemented in 2023-24 are also reflected in internal service billings for 2024-25.
Supplemental Budget Summary of Changes
The Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act will be implemented in Santa Cruz County on December 1, 2024. County Counsel will represent Behavioral Health in CARE Act proceedings. The Supplemental Budget adds 1.0 FTE Paralegal as a new position to support CARE Act services. CARE Act implementation requires new General Fund support in the amount of $105,750.
Adopted Budget Summary of Changes
The Adopted Budget adds $13,810 from 2023-24 unspent contract expenditures that continue into 2024-25.
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.