Division II. DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES, COMMISSIONS
3.10 Corporation counsel (3/4/86).
(1) Created. Pursuant to the provisions of section 59.07(44), Wisconsin Statutes, the office of Corporation Counsel in and for Kenosha County, Wisconsin is hereby established.
(2) Appointment. The Corporation Counsel shall be appointed by the County Executive and approved by a majority vote of the County Board.
(3) Application. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Corporation Counsel, notice of the County Board’s intent to fill the vacancy and accept applications for the position of Corporation Counsel shall be published at least once each week for a period of two consecutive weeks in a general circulation newspaper. Said advertisement and notice shall contain the starting salary for the position along with the qualifications required by this ordinance, and a statement that “Kenosha County is an equal opportunity employer”.
(4) Qualifications. Applicants for the position of Corporation Counsel shall have the following qualifications:
(a) Be an Attorney of Law, duly licensed to practice his profession before the Supreme Court of the State of Wisconsin and also before the Federal District Courts for the State of Wisconsin;
(b) Have at least two years of legal experience preferably in the area of municipal law, comprising of background in at least two of the following subject areas: Municipal Finance, Municipal Labor Relations, Municipal Contracts, Zoning, Assessing, Personal Injury Law, Social Services related litigation, Legislative Lobbying;
(c) Preferably have either prior experience or training in the area of parliamentary laws;
(d) Preferably have demonstrated prior experience in trial and/or appellate practice and preferably prior experience and/or training in the field of administrative law;
(e) Preferably have demonstrated abilities in or knowledge of office management.
(5) Conflict of Interest. In those instances where the Corporation Counsel deems that a conflict of interest is present, he shall advise the Administration Committee so as to allow said committee an opportunity to retain special counsel.
(6) Salary. The salary of the Corporation Counsel and the First Assistant shall be set in accordance with the County’s pay schedule for non-represented employees.
(7) Assistants to the Corporation Counsel.
(a) First Assistant Corporation Counsel. The Corporation Counsel shall appoint an attorney to be designated as First Assistant Corporation Counsel. The position of First Assistant Corporation Counsel shall be deemed to be supervisory, managerial and confidential in nature. When directed by the Corporation Counsel, the First Assistant shall act as special counsel to the Director of Labor Relations for Kenosha County. An attorney who has served as First Assistant shall be deemed eligible and qualified to fill any Assistant Corporation Counsel position which has been vacated or created and shall at all times retain the option of filling any such position. In those areas designated by the Corporation Counsel, the opinions and acts of the First Assistant shall have the same force and effect as if said opinions and acts had been rendered or performed by the Corporation Counsel. The position of First Assistant Corporation Counsel shall not be eliminated except by 2/3 vote of the County Board and an attorney holding the position of First Assistant may be terminated for cause by a 2/3 vote of the County Board pursuant to a due process hearing.
(b) Assistant Corporation Counsel. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Corporation Counsel may, when authorized by a majority of the county board, employ one or more assistant corporation counsels to aid him in the performance of his duties. Authorized positions may be filled by either full or part-time employees as determined by the Corporation Counsel. The Corporation Counsel shall provide a minimum of 80 hours per week of work to the offices of the Kenosha County Child Support Agency on paternity, family maintenance and other domestic relations matters.
(c) Assistants appointed by the Corporation Counsel, shall, upon designation by the Corporation Counsel, have the authority to perform all of the duties of the Corporation Counsel with the exception of those duties relating to labor relations.
(8) Temporary Disability, Vacancy, Resignation and Removal.
(a) In the event of sickness, temporary vacancy, disability or inability arising from any cause and the Corporation Counsel is unable to perform his duties, the First Assistant Corporation Counsel is empowered to temporarily discharge all the functions of the Corporation Counsel until such time as the Corporation Counsel is able to resume his duties.
(b) In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Corporation Counsel due to the resignation, death or removal, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment as provided for herein, and the First Assistant Corporation Counsel shall temporarily perform the duties and functions of the Corporation Counsel until such time as the vacancy is filled.
(c) In the event that the First Assistant Corporation Counsel shall assume the duties of the Corporation Counsel under either subsection (a) or (b), he shall be compensated accordingly.
(9) Removal. The employment of the Corporation Counsel may be terminated for cause at any time with the approval of a majority vote of all the members of the Board.
(10) Private Practice of Law. The Corporation Counsel and First Assistant shall not engage in private trial practice while serving in that position. At no time shall county personnel, equipment or supplies be used for the private practice of law.
(11) Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective upon adoption by the Kenosha County Board of Supervisors and publication as required by law, with the exception, however, that the present term for the incumbent Corporation Counsel shall extend to the date of the 1982 organizational meeting of the Kenosha County Board of Supervisors.