* For statutory provisions regarding the public administrator, see Gov. Code § 27440 et seq.; for district attorney, see Gov. Code 26500 et seq.

There is hereby created a department of administrative management of the county to be headed by the county administrative officer, which position is hereby created. (Ord. 229 § 1, 1956).

The county administrative officer shall be appointed by the board of supervisors. The salary of such officer shall be such as is provided therefor in each annual salary resolution. (Ord. 229 § 2(part), 1956).

It shall be the duty and responsibility of the department of administrative management and the county administrative officer to:
A. Generally advise with, assist, act as agent or representative of, and be responsible to the board of supervisors in all matters pertaining to the efficient administration of such affairs of the county as may be designated by this chapter or the board of supervisors;
B. Enforce all ordinances, resolutions, orders, directives and regulations of the board of supervisors as may be directed by said board;
C. Recommend an annual county budget for the several offices and departments of the county and exercise continuous budgetary control;
D. Recommend a long-term plan of capital improvements accompanied by pertinent financial data and recommendations as to methods of financing;
E. Recommend improved or standardized forms or procedures for the several county offices and departments;
F. Recommend desirable consolidations or rearrangements of departments and functions to promote efficiency and economy therein;
G. Conduct continuous research in administrative policies and practices, and make recommendations to the board of supervisors as to the adoption of such policies and practices as will further the orderly, efficient and economic conduct of county business;
H. Subject to the authority and duties of the purchasing agent, make recommendations as to the purchasing of property, equipment and supplies;
I. Direct such central administrative services as may be placed under the direction of the county administrative officer by the board of supervisors;
J. Represent the county of Madera in its inter-governmental relationships;
K. In the event of an emergency situation requiring immediate action, to take such action as may be necessary and prudent to safeguard persons and property and to ensure that safety and order are maintained. Such action may include, but is not limited to, suspension of appointed department heads, the temporary appointment of acting department heads, and such other and further actions as may be reasonably necessary to ensure the proper functioning of county offices and departments until the board of supervisors may exercise its authority to deal with the emergency situation;
L. Provide administrative direction to and exercise, as necessary, the board of supervisors’ authority to supervise the operations of the several county offices and departments, including those offices and departments headed by elective officers of the county, to the extent the law gives to the board of supervisors the duty and authority to provide administrative direction to and supervise the operations of county offices and departments headed by elective officers of the county; to evaluate at least annually, and report to the board of supervisors on, the job performance of the appointed heads of the county offices and departments; to recommend to the board of supervisors, with respect to the appointed heads of the county offices and departments, such hiring, termination, suspension or other disciplinary or related administrative actions, and salary and benefit adjustments, as the administrative officer deems appropriate. (Ord. 536B § 1, 1996; Ord. 229A § 1, 1995; Ord. 536 § 2, 1990: Ord. 229 § 3, 1956).

To assist in carrying out the powers and duties herein vested in the county administrative officer, such officer may call upon any county officer or employee to perform any act which such officer or employee is legally authorized to perform, including the furnishing of any statistical data or other reports required. (Ord. 229 § 4, 1956).

No provisions of this chapter is intended to vest in the county administrative officer any prerogative or duty now conferred by law upon any other office of the county, it being the intention of the board of supervisors only to establish a department and administrative officer to whom the board may delegate the details of certain of its administrative duties to be performed under its authority and direction. (Ord. 536 § 4, 1990).