N.Y. County Law § 450: Chairman of the board; powers and duties

§ 450. Chairman of the board; powers and duties. 1. The chairman of

the board of supervisors shall, at the time of his selection and

throughout the term of his office, be a member of the board of

supervisors and shall within twenty days after his selection take and

file in the office of the county clerk an oath of office as such

chairman and execute and file an official undertaking in such amount as

may be required by the board. Such undertaking shall be approved by the

board if in session and otherwise by the county clerk. Upon failure to

take said oath or to execute and file said undertaking within the time

therefor prescribed by law, the board of supervisors may declare a

vacancy and select another chairman from its membership. He shall be

ex-officio member of all committees and shall have the right to attend

meetings of all boards, commissions or other bodies appointed by the

board of supervisors or exercising county functions or expending county

funds. He shall have the right to inspect all books, accounts, records

or documents pertaining to the property, money or assets of the county

or over which the county has control.

2. It shall be the duty of such chairman: (a) to become familiar with

the property, functions and fiscal affairs of his county; (b) to see

that the statutory and local laws and resolutions of the board of

supervisors and directions of county officers empowered to make the same

are faithfully executed and report to the board any neglect of duty; (c)

to make recommendations to the board of supervisors on legislation,

rules and regulations and such other matters deemed material and

advisable; (d) to advise department heads and officers and recommend

matters deemed helpful in the performance of their duties.

3. The board of supervisors may delegate to such chairman the power

to: (a) transfer employees temporarily from one department or office to

another with the approval of the appointing officer or board; (b)

determine what officer shall perform a particular power or duty not

clearly defined by law; (c) determine what officers and employees may

attend conferences and schools conducted for the betterment of county

government; (d) execute and deliver documents and contracts authorized

by such board; (e) perform such other administrative duties as the board

may determine to be necessary to give full effect to the provisions of

this chapter.