County Counselor

Beth Orwick, County Counselor

ADOPTED FY23 BUDGET

$5,483,667

Office Mission

FULL TIME EQUIVALENTS

42.5

The Office of the County Counselor conducts the civil law business of the county, assisting county government in carrying out its policies and operations in an efficient and legally appropriate manner by providing advice, counsel and representation to county departments, offices, boards, commissions and elected and appointed officials.

Budget Overview

The 2023 adopted budget for the Office of the County Counselor is $5,483,667, a decrease of $3,845 or 0.1 percent from the 2022 adjusted budget of $5,487,512. Personnel costs comprise 89.4 percent of the budget for 44 positions (42.5 full time equivalents). Operating expenses account for 10.6 percent of the budget.

Significant Changes

The County Council reduced the County Counselor’s budget by $15,320 (0.3%) compared to the County Executive’s recommendation.

Core Business Functions

The County Counselor is responsible for:

→ Representing, in the name and on behalf of the county, all civil suits and other proceedings at law or in equity requisite or necessary to protect the rights and interests of the county and enforcing any and all rights, interests or claims against any and all persons, firms or corporations in whatever court or jurisdiction such action may be necessary.

→ Prosecuting all proceedings for the collection of delinquent taxes and licenses of every kind owing to the county and violations of county ordinances including a focus on problem properties.

→ Approving as to form all leases, deeds, contracts, bonds, ordinances, rules, regulations, drafts of legislation, and other instruments.

→ Providing legal advice and opinions to the council, the County Executive, department heads, elective officials, and to all county boards and commissions, respecting county business.