CITY ATTORNEY MISSION STATEMENT

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1 City of San Mateo CITY ATTORNEY MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the San Mateo City Attorney s Office is to provide excellent, clear legal advice and zealous, ethical legal representation for the City Council, City officers, and City staff to support them in their efforts to make San Mateo a community of the highest quality. The Office staff will be accessible to those they serve and respond to requests for service in a timely manner. STRUCTURE AND SERVICES Legal Counsel The City Attorney's Office is responsible for providing legal advice to the City Council, city staff, and city boards or commissions on matters that affect the conduct of city business, and for preparing contracts, ordinances, resolutions and related legal documents to implement adopted city policy. The City Attorney s Office also provides either directly or through outside counsel, for the representation of the city in administrative proceedings and in court proceedings initiated by the City. Litigation Defense The City Attorney s Office is responsible for providing, either directly or through outside counsel, for the defense of the City, its officers and employees against lawsuits and claims. The Office procures property and general liability insurance, contracts for claims adjusting services and oversees the handling of Tort Claims. The City receives approximately 100 claims yearly, including claims for personal injury and property damage. 5-1

2 Two Year Business Plan

3 City of San Mateo CITY ATTORNEY DEPARTMENT SUMMARY Actual Budget Estimate Adopted Projected FTE's (As amended) EXPENDITURES By Program LEGAL COUNSEL 766, , , , , CLAIMS AND TORT DEFENSE 1,079,402 1,081, ,910 1,112,978 1,147, Total $1,845,894 $1,881,614 $1,809,024 $1,972,867 $2,049, By Category Salaries and Benefits 693, , , , ,636 Operating Expenses 1,150,181 1,097,240 1,114,386 1,129,586 1,164,062 Capital Outlay 2,368 2,368 2,368 2,676 2,676 Total $1,845,894 $1,881,614 $1,809,024 $1,972,867 $2,049,373 REVENUE CLAIMS AND TORT DEFENSE 800, , ,000 General Fund 1,009,024 1,122,867 1,199,373 Total $1,809,024 $1,972,867 $2,049,373 Merit 4.50 Part Time 0.00 Over Time 0.02 Total

4 Two Year Business Plan PROGRAM: LEGAL COUNSEL Program Manager: Shawn M. Mason, The purpose of this program is to provide general counsel service to the city organization. This service involves legal counsel to insure that the City conducts its business in compliance with applicable law and the representation of the City s interests in internal administrative proceedings and in court proceedings initiated by the City. Ongoing Responsibilities Respond to requests for advice within agreed upon time-frame. Respond to requests for public records and other documents within the time-frame established by law. Prepare resolutions and ordinances for City Council agendas. Prosecute legal actions initiated by the City. Objectives Establish program for annually advising and training City departments on new legislation and case law affecting their operations. Implement measures identified in the strategic plan to improve the delivery of legal services to the organization.. 5-4

5 City of San Mateo GENERAL LEGAL COUNSEL PROGRAM SUMMARY Actual Budget Estimate Adopted Projected FTE's (As amended) EXPENDITURES By Sub Program GENERAL LEGAL SERVICES 765, , , , , PROGRAM OVERHEAD 1, , Total $766,492 $800,002 $986,115 $859,890 $901, By Category Salaries and Benefits 618, , , , ,197 Operating Expenses 145,408 93, ,104 96,074 99,544 Capital Outlay 2,368 2,368 2,368 2,676 2,676 Total $766,492 $800,002 $986,115 $859,890 $901,417 REVENUE General Fund 986, , ,417 Total $986,115 $859,890 $901,417 Merit 3.95 Part Time 0.00 Over Time 0.01 Total

6 Two Year Business Plan PROGRAM: CLAIMS AND LITIGATION DEFENSE Program Manager: Shawn M. Mason, The purpose of this program is to receive, process, defend, or to otherwise resolve claims for money damages filed against the City and/or its officers and employees and to defend or otherwise resolve other litigation against the City and/or its officer and employees. Actions shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of the City s insurance program, when applicable. Ongoing Responsibilities Receive and process claims and lawsuits involving the City of San Mateo within the time-frame required by law. Defend and resolve claims and lawsuits. Procure liability and property insurance. Objectives Continue implementation of Risk Management Best Practices identified by the ABAG PLAN as part of a City-wide risk management practices assessment. 5-6

7 City of San Mateo CLAIMS AND LITIGATION DEFENSE PROGRAM SUMMARY Actual Budget Estimate Adopted Projected FTE's (As amended) EXPENDITURES By Sub Program LIABILITY CLAIMS 1,079,402 1,081, ,910 1,112,978 1,147, Total $1,079,402 $1,081,612 $822,910 $1,112,978 $1,147, By Category Salaries and Benefits 74,629 78,202 67,628 79,465 83,439 Operating Expenses 1,004,773 1,003, ,282 1,033,512 1,064,518 Total $1,079,402 $1,081,612 $822,910 $1,112,978 $1,147,956 REVENUE CLAIMS AND TORT DEFENSE 800, , ,000 General Fund 22, , ,956 Total $822,910 $1,112,978 $1,147,956 Merit 0.55 Part Time 0.00 Over Time 0.01 Total

8 Two Year Business Plan