2013-2014 budget - City of Syracuse

105
DEPARTMENT OF LAW
I. Program Responsibilities:
The Law Department, under the direction of the Corporation Counsel, supervises and directs all of the legal
services of the City. In this capacity, it provides legal advice to the Mayor, Common Council members and
officers, Department Heads, boards, commissions, and agencies concerning any matter affecting the affairs of the
City. It prepares and supervises codification of the local laws and ordinances applying to the City. It also
approves, as to form and legality, all written contracts, documents and other legal instruments to which the City is
a signatory. The Department further has the authority to enter into agreements and to compromise and settle
claims against the City, subject in some cases to the approval of the Common Council and the Mayor. In addition,
the Department represents the City in hearings before various courts, boards and agencies and provides
representation for various City bodies. The Department of Law has also assumed responsibility for supervision
and coordination of the Claim’s Unit, which receives and processes all claims for damages filed against the City.
The Department provides advice to the City School District, which the Department represents in tort actions and
before the Workers' Compensation Board.
II. Major Functions
Litigation (including Labor
Arbitration and Negotiations)
III. Cost of
Function as
a % of Total
Budget
IV. Activity Indicators
V.
2011/2012
Actual
VI.
2012/2013
Estimate
VII.
2013/2014
Anticipated
40% New Claims 387 375 375
Legislation 14% Ordinances, General Ordinances, Local Laws and
Resolutions
726 735 750
Zoning and Planning 4% Public Hearings Attended
Litigation (Zoning/Zoning Appeals)
38
0
38
5
38
5
Workers’ Compensation 2% New Cases Processed
--City only
Hearings
--City
219
167
196
130
200
130
Contracts and Leases 8% Prepared/Reviewed/Approved 300 300 300