REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 23, 2025
FROM
TOM BUNTON, County Counsel
VICTOR TORDESILLAS, Deputy Executive Officer, Department of Risk Management
SUBJECT
Title
Adoption of Ordinance Relating to the Authority of the County Counsel and the Risk Manager
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Adopt Ordinance amending Sections 12.1907 and 12.3405 of the San Bernardino County Code, relating to the Authority of the County Counsel and the Risk Manager, which was introduced on September 9, 2025, Item No. 80.
(Presenter: Tom Bunton, County Counsel, 387-5455)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Improve County Government Operations.
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Settlements of claims will be paid from various departments' budgets or by the Department of Risk Management.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The ordinance revising the County Code to provide clear authority for the County Counsel and the Risk Manager, in connection with filing or settling lawsuits involving the County or other entities governed by the Board of Supervisors/Board of Directors (Board), was introduced on September 9, 2025, Item No. 80. This item will adopt the ordinance on the consent calendar to allow for the more efficient resolution of some lawsuits.
Under the ordinance, the County Counsel or designee, with consent of the involved department, is authorized to file a lawsuit or other legal action to seek compensation for damage to property or injury to an employee while the employee is in the course and scope of their employment. Further, the County Counsel or designee is authorized to settle claims and lawsuits provided: (1) the settlement does not exceed $50,000; (2) the County department or other Board governed entity involved and any outside coun...
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