Constitution of the State of California 1879 Art. XI, § 1

Sec. 1.  (a) The State is divided into counties which are legal subdivisions of the State.  The Legislature shall prescribe uniform procedure for county formation, consolidation, and boundary change.  Formation or consolidation requires approval by a majority of electors voting on the question in each affected county.  A boundary change requires approval by the governing body of each affected county.  No county seat shall be removed unless two-thirds of the qualified electors of the county, voting on the proposition at a general election, shall vote in favor of such removal.  A proposition of removal shall not be submitted in the same county more than once in four years.

(b) The Legislature shall provide for county powers, an elected county sheriff, an elected district attorney, an elected assessor, and an elected governing body in each county.  Except as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 4 of this article, each governing body shall prescribe by ordinance the compensation of its members, but the ordinance prescribing such compensation shall be subject to referendum.  The Legislature or the governing body may provide for other officers whose compensation shall be prescribed by the governing body.  The governing body shall provide for the number, compensation, tenure, and appointment of employees.