Officers GenerallyConsolidation of Offices
Section § 24300
This law allows county boards to combine the duties of various county offices, such as sheriff and tax collector, or auditor and recorder. The board of supervisors can merge these roles through an ordinance.
For newly created offices, if two roles are combined, the term of the first office will end based on the unexpired term of one of the original roles. If one role is vacant, the term for the combined office will match the longest remaining term of the original roles.
Section § 24300.5
This law allows the county board of supervisors to combine the roles of auditor, controller, treasurer, tax collector, and director of finance into one office through an ordinance.
Section § 24301
This law allows the board of supervisors to change how officer duties are combined or separated. They can separate or recombine these duties differently if they believe it's beneficial for the public. They can also decide that each set of duties should be handled by different people.
Section § 24302
This law says that when different government jobs are combined into one, the person elected for this combined job must take the necessary oaths, provide required bonds for each original job, perform all the duties of each, and will be paid for the combined roles.
Section § 24303
If the board of supervisors fails to combine the duties of certain offices or advertise this consolidation, each office will continue to operate separately and fill its positions according to existing laws.
Section § 24304
This law allows counties in California, from the 13th to the 58th class, to merge the duties of certain county offices. The county's board of supervisors can decide to combine roles such as sheriff and tax collector, auditor and recorder, and others, into single positions. Essentially, it offers flexibility for counties to streamline operations by consolidating various roles into fewer offices. This can help reduce administrative overhead and improve efficiency in handling county responsibilities.
Section § 24304.1
In counties classified as the 11th class in California, the local county board of supervisors has the power to merge the responsibilities of some county officials into one position. They can do this for two types of combinations: one that includes the county clerk, assessor, and recorder, and another that includes the sheriff, coroner, and public administrator.
Section § 24304.2
This law allows the boards of supervisors in specific California counties, including Lake, Mendocino, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Trinity, and Tulare, to combine the roles of Auditor-Controller and Treasurer-Tax Collector into one elected position. However, in Lake County, this combination can only occur when there's a vacancy in either of the current positions.
Section § 24305
This section allows the board of supervisors to merge the budgets of different offices when the responsibilities of those offices have been combined.
Section § 24306
In counties with populations over 4 million, if two or more government offices are merged, the person holding the new, consolidated office doesn't need to meet the qualifications required for the separate offices being combined. This is only true if no single qualification applies to all combined offices and if the board ensures there are enough qualified staff to provide expert advice for decision-making.
However, the person in charge of the merged office cannot perform any job that requires a professional license or permit without having the necessary credentials.
Section § 24306.5
This law applies to certain large counties in California based on population data from 1970. It allows these counties to combine different offices, like the health officer's office, to improve how health services are delivered. The person running the combined office doesn’t need all the specific qualifications required for individual offices, as long as qualified staff are in place to provide expert advice.
A licensed physician must still handle duties that require medical expertise, specifically related to enforcing health laws. Also, anyone in the consolidated office cannot perform tasks that legally require a specific license without having that license.
Section § 24307
This law allows counties in California with populations over 4 million to appoint a county officer to handle tasks related to public buildings, like acquiring, building, leasing, and maintaining them. This can be organized into a single department. The officer doesn't need a special permit or license, but if the work involves professions requiring such credentials, those doing the work must have or be supervised by someone with the proper license. Civil engineering work must be done under a certified civil engineer, directed by this responsible officer, while other related responsibilities stay with the officers who usually handle them.
Section § 24308
This law allows county boards of supervisors in California to reorganize how they deliver services, except for duties mandated by the state constitution or other specific laws. They can combine, separate, or adjust county departments but must ensure personnel are qualified for their roles.
The law also clarifies that reorganized positions cannot perform professional work without the necessary licenses. Additionally, reorganization doesn't affect other laws about county services, and state agencies can't reject county plans or impose penalties just because of organizational changes.