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Resolution No. 22-Q67
WHEREAS, Bruce S. Alpert, County Counsel for the County of Butte, announced his retirement effective April 30,
2022, after nearly 25 years of service to the County; and
WHEREAS, Bruce began his legal career inLos Angeles in1977,and after 17years imprivate practice hemoved tu
Chico in 199,4, where he continued to work in private practice. Bruce joined the Office of the Butte County Counsel in
1997, initially as a Deputy County Counsel, and was appointed as County Counsel in September of 2000; and
WHEREAS, Bruce is currently the longest serving County Counsel in California, having advised 13 different
members mfthe Board of Supervisors, and served alongside nine different Chief Administrative Officers. Bruce has also
represented 2Iseparate civil Grand Juries; and
WHEREAS, Bruce has been a very active member of the County Counsel's Association of California, having served
in even/ position on its Board of Directors, including one year as President, and three years as [hair of the Litigation
Oversight Committee, which primarily reviews appellate decisions involving issues ofstatewide concern, and determines
whether the Association should join oroppose amappea|;and
WHEREAS, throughout his career |nthe County Counsel's Office, Bruce has been heavily involved and influential
imthe County's water -related issues, Bruce has been counsel to the County's Water Commission for nearly 15 years, aimd
has provided leadership inthe County's decades -long effort to protect its recreational, economic and environmental
interests, both through the um8oimO FERC relicensing of Lake Urov|Ue, as well as successful litigation against DVVA to
establish Area ofOrigin rights tothe County's Table Awater; and
WHEREAS, Bruce has guided the County through complex legal issues following multiple large-scale emergencies,
including the DroviUe Spillway incident, the Camp Fire, the COV|C-19 pandemic and the Worth ComI Fire. Bruce was
instrumental in advocating the legal arguments supporting the County's, hazard tree removal programs, which were
unprecedented at the time and crucial for the County's economic recovery from wildfire disaster; and
WHEREAS, Brume has always been actively involved in all County litigation matters, including the strategy and
decision hotake amatter totrial ormediation, where hewas always the final word omany settlement amount (subject tm
Board approval); and
WHEREAS, Bruce's recognized negotiation skills have resulted in exceptional outcomes for the County in several
high profile cases. Bruce served as the Lead County Negotiator in the lawsuit against PG&E for damages caused by the
Camp Fire, which resulted in a $252 million dollar settlement forthe County, as well as a lawsuit against DWR for damages
caused 10County maintained roads during the Spillway incident, which resulted in a $12 million dollar settlement. Bruce
a|su served as Lead County Negotiator on a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma and utheropinid manufacturers which will
provide the County with over $3Omillion dollars during the next 8years for local education and drug addiction, treatment;
and
WHEREAS, throughout his entire career as the Butte County Counsel, Bruce has always tackled challenges head
on, and is widlely recognized as a formidable and relentless advocate for the best interests of the County; and
WHEREAS, Bruce's coIleagues and clients wiII miss his efficient and concise email communications, and direct and
unequivocal advice; and
WHEREAS, Bruce is a devoted husband to his wife, Julie, and father to his children, Brian and Lauren; and
WHEREAS, Bruce has been proud of the fact that there have been very few attorneys or staff that have left the
County Counsel's Office in the past 22 years (except for retirements), and that staff know Bruce recognizes and balances
work requirements with their personal and family needs; and
WHEREAS, Bruce's colleagues and coworkers hope he has many well-deserved vacations and uninterrupted golf
games planned for his retirement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Butte County Board of Supervisors on its own behalf, and on behalf
of the residents of the County of Butte, wishes to express to Bruce S. Alpert sincere appreciation for his dedication and
outstanding service rendered to the residents of the County of Butte, and further wishes him the warmest regards upon
his retirement.
vote
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Butte County Board of Supervisors this 10"' day of May, 2022, by the following
AYES: Supervisors Lucero, Ritter, Kimmelshue, Teeter and Chair Connelly
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Andy Pickett, Chief Administrative Officer
and Clerk of the B d of Supervisors
By:
Deputy
Sill Connelly, Chair
Butte County Board of Supervisors