Chapter 2.45
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THE LEWIS COUNTY MANAGER
Sections:
2.45.010 Statutory authority.
(1) General Powers. Pursuant to RCW 36.12.010, each county shall establish a board of commissioners consisting of three qualified electors, and to constitute a quorum, no less than two commissioners must be present to conduct business.
Pursuant to RCW 36.32.120 and 36.40.100, the Lewis County board of county commissioners has the authority to budget and appropriate funds for all county activities; authorize payments made to the county and audit all the officers having control of county monies; fix the tax levy for the county and its subordinate jurisdictions; manage, build, and maintain county buildings and necessary public buildings; manage, build and maintain county roads and highways; make and enforce civil and criminal resolutions and ordinances not in conflict with state law, including land use and construction; prosecute and defend all actions for and against the county; and support and implement state and federal mandates.
(2) Delegation of Duties. Pursuant to RCW 36.16.070, the board of county commissioners may, in the exercise of its powers and performance of its functions and services, agree to delegate duties to deputies or other necessary employees.
(3) Authority and Term. A county manager appointed by the board of county commissioners shall be the responsibility of the board of county commissioners, may be revoked at the pleasure of the board of county commissioners, and may be authorized to perform any act under the authority of the board of county commissioners. [Ord. 1321, 2020]
2.45.020 The county manager.
(1) County Manager.
(a) Appointment.
(i) Appointment or termination of a county manager shall require a simple majority vote of the board of county commissioners.
(ii) The county manager shall be selected on the basis of his or her executive experience and professional administrative qualifications.
(iii) No member of the board of county commissioners shall, during the time for which he or she was elected, be appointed county manager.
(iv) The board of county commissioners shall establish the county manager’s terms of employment, including compensation, by written contract, provided the county manager’s employment shall be at-will and terminable in accordance with contract terms and this chapter.
(v) Employment of a county manager shall not be construed as changing the relationship of the board of county commissioners or other elected officials to their constituents, or the relationship of the board of county commissioners to other elected officials.
(vi) The board of county commissioners may designate a qualified administrative officer of the county to perform the duties of manager upon the termination of the services of a manager, pending the selection and appointment of a new manager; or during the absence, disability, or suspension of the manager.
(b) Powers and Duties. The county manager shall be the board of county commissioners’ chief executive officer and shall have the power to:
(i) Supervise all administrative departments established or created under the board of county commissioners.
(ii) Execute and enforce all ordinances and state statutes not assigned to other elected officials.
(iii) Present to the commission any reports which he or she may deem necessary.
(iv) Annually present to the commission a budget and budget message setting forth proposals for the forthcoming fiscal years, as prepared by each elected office and department.
(v) Determine the organizational structure of and assign duties to administrative departments that are not specifically assigned by this chapter or otherwise in state law.
(vi) Sign or cause to be signed on behalf of the county all deeds, contracts and instruments not otherwise reserved to others by this chapter or state law.
(vii) Conduct collective bargaining on behalf of the county, subject to state and federal law and budget direction provided by the commission and as allowed by state law.
(viii) The county manager shall recommend, and approval of the board of county commissioners is required for, the human resources policies below:
(A) Overall compensation policies including, but not limited to, base pay, incentive and premium compensation.
(B) Overall design of merit pay and step increase programs.
(C) Overall design of benefits and eligibility.
(D) Overall design of insurance benefit plans, including eligibility and employee contributions.
The county manager shall develop, implement and administer human resource policies for administrative departments and other offices subject to those policies. Board of county commissioners’ approval is not required for other human resource policies.
(ix) Manage properties owned by the county.
(x) Perform any other duty assigned by the board of county commissioners.
The specific statement of particular powers shall not be construed as limiting the powers of the county manager.
(2) Appointments by the County Manager.
(a) The county manager shall appoint the chief officer of each administrative department under the board of county commissioners.
(i) The county manager shall appoint chief officers on the basis of their abilities, qualifications, integrity and experience concerning the duties of the position to which they are appointed.
(ii) The county manager may authorize the head of a department or office responsible to him or her to appoint and remove subordinates in such department or office. Any officer or employee who may be appointed by the county manager, or by the head of a department or office, may be removed by the manager or other such appointing officer at any time subject to any applicable law, rule, or regulation. Subject to the provisions of this chapter and any applicable civil service provisions, the decision of the manager or other appointing officer shall be final and there shall be no appeal therefrom to any other office, body, or court whatsoever.
(iii) Neither the commission, nor any of its committees or members, shall direct the appointment of any person to, or his or her removal from, office by the county manager or any of his or her subordinates. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the commission and its members shall deal with the administrative service solely through the manager and neither the commission nor any committee or member thereof shall give orders to any subordinate of the county manager, either publicly or privately. The provisions of this section do not prohibit the commission, while in open session, from fully and freely discussing with the county manager anything pertaining to appointments and removals of county officers and employees and county affairs.
(iv) No time limitation shall be imposed on the term of employment for appointed chief officers of administrative departments.
(3) Administrative Departments.
(a) The administrative departments shall consist of the departments and agencies established or created under the authority of the board of county commissioners.
(b) The chief officer of each administrative department shall appoint all officers and employees of his or her department. The chief officer shall comply with the county’s human resources policies and procedures when appointing officers and employees to positions covered by human resources policies and procedures. [Ord. 1321, 2020]