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P.
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra
FROM: PHIL BATCHELOR Cost.
County Administrator 'County
DATE: December 19, 2000
SUBJECT: 2000 AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE PRESENTED TO
THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY COUNSEL
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION:
PRESENT the 2000 departmental Award for Excellence to the Office of the County Counsel, Victor J.
Westman, County Counsel.
BACKGROUND:
The Board of Supervisors, in 1985, established a program for recognizing outstanding performance by
County departments. In December 1985 and each year thereafter,the Board has recognized a department
With the Award for Excellence.
The County Counsel serves as civil and legal advisor for the Board of Supervisors, county offices,
departments, boards and commissions, schools and other districts in the County.it is unique among the
County's legal services departments in that the issues it handles are as varied as the many agencies it
serves. The departments 26 attorneys enjoy an outstanding reputation throughout the County for their
competence, reliability, extraordinary diligence and personal commitment to their work. This commitment to
excellence permeates the department, beginning with the County Counsel himself.
Although some of the accomplishments of the Office of the County Counsel are confidential and go unsung,
many have been highly visible throughout the year. Over the last year, the staff is credited with drafting,
reviewing, and adopting several significant County ordinances. They have overseen the legal issues
pertaining to three concurrent major road projects involving the County, the Contra Costa Transportation
Authority and Caltrans. They have assisted the Board of Supervisors with the general plan amendment
modifying the urban limit line and continue to provide defense of the Board's action in the litigation
challenging the modification. The staff has successfully defended the County in major property tax litigation
matters saving the County millions of dollars.
An efficient clerical staff supports the Office of the County Counsel. These individuals have become experts
in library research management, resulting in increased productivity by allowing the attorneys to focus more
time on providing legal services. Thissupport staff also fulfills its duties with a high degree of professionalism
and dedication.
In this final year of the second millennium;the commitment of the men and women of the Office of the County
Counsel to excellence, professionalism, and the Contra Costa County Statement of Values serves as a
model to which all County departments may aspire.
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CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: SIGNATURE:
Ar' OMMENDAT€ON OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR -��RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
PPROVE OTHER
S€GNI ATURE (S).
ACTION OF BOAR O APPROVE AS RECOMMENDED_i OTHER
VOTE OF SUP ORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE
AYES: NOES: SHOWN.
ABSENT- � A STAN
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ATTESTED EJ
CONTACT: JULIE ENEA(925)335-1077 PHIL BAT HE OR,CLERK OF HE
BOARQ OF SUPEVI ORS AND
.� CO ADMINI TOR
CC: County Administrator r £
County Counsel BY DEPUTY