County Attorney
Mission
The County Attorney’s Office provides adaptive and creative legal solutions, and leads with integrity.
Who Are We?
We Represent
- We represent the Board of Supervisors
- We represent the County and County staff, and to a lesser extent, Constitutional Officers and their staffs
Who We Advise
- The Board of Supervisors
- County Administrator
- County departments and staff
- Constitutional Officers and their staffs
- Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Subcommittees created, and members appointed, by the Board of Supervisors, like the Planning Commission
Our Core Functions
- Aid in the interpretation of federal, state, and County laws, ordinances, resolutions, and regulations
- Support the enforcement of the County Code and County ordinances, resolutions, regulations, policies, and decisions
- Provide representation in both state and federal courts, and before state and federal executive departments and agencies
- Give high-quality and timely legal counsel, representation, and advice
- Draft and review, and support department drafting of, ordinances and resolutions
- Draft and review deeds and plats for dedications of rights-of-way and easements, for the acquisition of real property
- Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and purchase agreements for the purchase of goods and services, construction, and the acquisition of real property; and leases, license, and right of entry agreements
- Review and provide guidance regarding the Freedom of Information Act and related notice requirements and document production responses, and state and local public hearings requirements
- Assist with Conflict of Interests Act compliance by providing advice on the completion of disclosure forms and opinions
- Support staff and provide advice in litigation involving the County where the County is not a direct litigant, including subpoena responses, bankruptcy cases, and garnishments
- Seek to support the taxpayers of Stafford County by fully advising and informing the Board of Supervisors, and County staff, regarding liability and legal concerns prior to making decision
Budget Summary
Funded Positions
Notable Changes
Personnel
- 2.25% Pay Scale Adjustment
- 2.75% Salary Increase
- Workers Compensation Increase
- Increase Vacancy Savings
- (1) Assistant County Attorney II
Operating
- Restore 10% of FY2021 budget reductions
- Education/Tuition Assistance change
Goals/Objectives
- Advise and assist County staff in support of the Board’s economic, recreational, and public safety policies, efforts, and goals, including the Board’s strategic plan; its desire to highly prioritize public safety; and its desire to provide high quality, top-notch passive and active recreational parks and facilities. (Service levels 1 and 3)
- Review and prepare land transaction documents, helping to ensure that impacts of Board-approved development is mitigated and dedicated, as proffered; and agricultural land is conserved and preserved through adopted County programs, like the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) and Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Programs. (Service level 2)
- In support of the Board’s fiscally conservative financial policies, advise and assist County staff in procuring high-quality goods and services, managing contracts, and carrying out Board-approved transportation improvements, from procurement through construction, including property acquisition and condemnation, when necessary. (Service levels 1, 2, 3, and 4)
- Advise, support, and encourage ongoing training for the County’s FOIA officer, department liaisons, and staff with regards to records retention and responses to FOIA production requests. (Service levels 1 and 5)
- Defend and protect the County’s interests, with the assistance of outside counsel in some matters, in bankruptcy and litigation, including, but not limited to, various land use cases and construction claims/cases in support of minimizing, to the extent possible, the County’s potential financial liability, in support of the Board’s legislative actions and the Board’s financial policies. (Service levels 1, 3, and 4)