County Council or any committee of Council is granted authority to investigate the financial transactions of any office, department or agency of County government and the official acts and conduct of any County official relating to any matter upon which Council is authorized to act. In conducting such investigations, the Council or any committee of Council may administer oaths and may, by majority vote, compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers and other evidence, and for the purpose may use subpoenas which shall be signed by the President of Council or the chair of the Council committee seeking a witness’ testimony and which may be served and executed by an officer authorized by law to serve subpoenas and other legal process. In the matter of compelling the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence, the majority vote of Council, if any, shall take precedence over the vote of a Council committee. If any duly subpoenaed witness shall refuse to testify to any facts within the witness’ knowledge, or to produce any papers or books in the witness’ possession or in the witness’ control, relating to the matter under inquiry before the Council or any such committee, the Council shall have the power to refer the matter to the Prosecuting Attorney for the Prosecuting Attorney to cause the witness to be punished as for contempt. Subpoenas may not be issued pursuant to this section except by resolution adopted by 2/3 vote of Council.
(Added 11-3-98)
(Added 11-3-98)