(a) The Director of the Health and Human Services Agency shall have the discretion to organize and administer functions within the agency to ensure services and benefits are provided to the public through an integrated and comprehensive health and human services system. Such discretion shall be exercised in accordance with then existing federal, state, and local laws, as well as County policies established by ordinance or resolution concerning any reorganization or restructuring of the functions and operations of a county department or division of a county department.
Notwithstanding anything in this chapter, however, the Director of the Health and Human Services shall not impede the Health Officer from carrying out the duties, services, or functions required by state law or other provisions of this code. Additionally, the Director shall allow the final determination regarding issues of professional nursing practice shall be made by a person who is licensed as a registered nurse and certified as a public health nurse.
(b) The Director has authority to sign contracts binding on the County on matters within the purview of the agency, consistent with and subject to all County contracting policies. Such authority may be delegated in writing by the Director to other personnel that report directly to the Director.
(c) Functions and responsibilities described in federal, state, and local laws relating to the positions identified in Section 2-5.2103, above, shall be performed by the Director or, for positions identified in Section 2-5.2103(c), by the appointee to each such position (if other than the Director) under the general oversight of the Director. As necessary or appropriate, such functions and responsibilities may be delegated to appropriately qualified personnel within the agency. These functions and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
(1) For mental health issues and the County alcohol and drug program, those matters described in Government Code Sections 24308 and 33200, Health and Safety Code Section 11800, and Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 5607, 5608, and 18966.86. The County alcohol and drug program shall be placed at the same administrative level and have responsibilities similar to other major health programs in the County.
(2) For public health issues within the statutory purview of the County Health Officer, those matters described in Government Code Sections 101025 through 101070. For all other public health issues, including public health and indigent health functions and operations, those matters described in Government Code Section 33201, and Health and Safety Code Section 101115.
(3) For social services, those matters described in Welfare and Institutions Code Section 10800 et seq.
(d) The Board of Supervisors, by ordinance or resolution, may create such subordinate positions in the agency established pursuant to this article, and set the salaries thereof, as may be necessary.
(§ 2, Ord. 1455, eff. August 27, 2015)