COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Counsel

DATE:

August 16, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

August 31, 2004

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Thomas F. Casey III, County Counsel

SUBJECT:

Approval of Amendment to Salary Ordinance to Provide Additional Position for Replacement of Attorney Serving in Iraq

Recommendation

Approve an Amendment to Salary Ordinance 04184 to Authorize an Additional Deputy County Counsel Position.

Background

The County Counsel’s office is currently staffed with 19 Deputy County Counsels. John Nibbelin, Deputy County Counsel, is also a Major in the U.S. Army Reserves and has been called to active duty for service in Iraq. His service will begin September 1, 2004 and is expected to be gone for up to 1 ½ years.

Discussion

Pursuant to the County’s policy regarding payment of salary for County employees for service in Iraq, Mr. Nibbelin will be paid any difference between his military pay and his County salary and his benefits will be maintained. This amount is estimated not to be significant in light of Mr. Nibbelin’s rank. In order to maintain provision of legal services at the current level, it is requested that an additional Deputy County Counsel position be authorized. When Mr. Nibbelin returns in approximately 16 months, we will reduce the attorney staff through attritition.

Vision Alignment

This action will ensure the County’s commitment that leaders work together across boundaries to preserve and enhance our quality of life.

Fiscal Impact

Funding for the position this year will come from within the County Counsel budget.