REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 9, 2025
FROM
TOM BUNTON, County Counsel
VICTOR TORDESILLAS, Deputy Executive Officer, Department of Risk Management
SUBJECT
Title
Ordinance Relating to the Authority of the County Counsel and the Risk Manager
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Consider proposed ordinance relating to the authority of the County Counsel and the Risk Manager to file and settle claims and lawsuits.
2. Make alterations, if necessary, to proposed ordinance.
3. Approve introduction of proposed ordinance.
* An ordinance of San Bernardino County, State of California, to amend sections 12.1907 and 12.3405 of the San Bernardino County Code, relating to the Authority of the County Counsel and the Risk Manager.
4. SCHEDULE ORDINANCE FOR FINAL ADOPTION ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025, on the Consent Calendar.
(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 proposed ordinance revises the County Code to provide clear authority for the County Counsel and Risk Manager in connection with filing or settling of lawsuits involving the County or other entities governed by the Board of Supervisors/Board of Directors (Board). This will allow for the more efficient resolution of some lawsuits.
Under the proposed 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 his/her ...
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