Thomas v. Whatcom County

Citations

• 82 Wash. 113
• 143 P. 881
• 1914 Wash. LEXIS 1484

Syllabus

<p>Counties — Commissioners — Decisions — Lack oe Rulings — Course of Conduct. It is a reasonable inference that the board of county commissioners had determined that three deputy sheriffs and one jailer were necessary to a proper conduct of the sheriff’s office, although no formal order was entered to that effect, where it appears that the board had monthly for eight years audited and allowed payrolls for their services.</p> <p>Same — Commissioners—Continuing Existence — Change of Personnel. The county board of commissioners has a continuous existence so that a change in its personnel does not abrogate its findings or resolutions.</p> <p>Same — Findings by Commissioners — Abrogation—Construction. A finding by the county commissioners that three deputy sheriffs and one jailer were necessary to a proper conduct of the sheriff’s office is not abrogated by a resolution to the effect that the appointment of three certain deputies and a jailer were inimical to the best interests of the county, and that they would not he allowed any pay, but that the board was willing to allow or pay any other persons appointed by the sheriff.</p> <p>Sheriffs — Deputies—Power to Appoint — Statutes — Construction. Under Rem. & Bal. Code, § 4032, providing when county officers may employ necessary help, at just and reasonable compensation, by and with the consent of the county commissioners, and making the officer responsible upon his official bond for the acts of his employees, and Id., § 4065, providing that the county commissioners may allow a county officer such deputies as may be required to do the business of the office, at such salary as they may designate, the officer has the absolute right to determine the personnel of such deputies as may have been allowed.</p>