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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: October 20, 2009 <br />Action Agenda , <br />Item No. G~~ <br />SUBJECT: Creation of Additional Staff Attorney Position for the County Attorney's Office <br />DEPARTMENT: Human Resources PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />County Attorney <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />1) Orange County Organizational Chart <br />2) County Attorney's Office <br />Organizational Chart <br />3) Staff Attorney Job Description <br />4) Cost Savings Spreadsheet <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Michael McGinnis, Human Resources <br />Director, 245-2552 <br />John Roberts, County Attorney <br />245-2318 <br />PURPOSE: To create an additional Staff Attorney position in the County Attorney's Office <br />bringing the Attorney's Office to the optimal staffing level. <br />BACKGROUND: In previous years the Board of County Commissioners utilized legal services <br />for County government through a contract with Coleman, Gledhill, Hargrave & Peek. Geof <br />Gledhill provided these services with the assistance of several additional legal staff. Upon the <br />retirement of Mr. Gledhill the Board hired a County Attorney as a County position to provide <br />legal services within the County government structure. During the FY 2009-10 budget process <br />the Board approved the County Attorney's Office which included the County Attorney position, <br />Staff Attorney position, and Paralegal position. <br />The County has gradually been transitioning legal services from contract services with Mr. <br />Gledhill to the new County Attorney's Office. To complete this transition the County Attorney's <br />Office will need to hire a second Staff Attorney. This staffing level will allow the legal functions <br />of Orange County to be more comprehensive, efficient, and cost effective. The County <br />Attorney's Office will be able to provide for the timely completion of many legal tasks required by <br />the Board and other County departments. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Staff Attorney is classified as a grade 27 in the County's <br />classification system. The position will cost an estimated $85,015, annually. With a January 4, <br />2010 start date, the prorated cost of the position is approximately $41,693, including salary, <br />benefits, and operations. Hiring a second Staff Attorney will allow the County to discontinue the <br />estimated $141,289 annual cost for Mr. Gledhill's contract services. Both the legal contract <br />services and new staff attorney position are unbudgeted costs in FY 2009-10. A fund balance <br />appropriation will be required to fund either option. <br />