(a) subject to the limitations provided by law, to levy taxes, appropriate revenue, and adopt budgets for the County, provided that after January 1, 2013, any new Councilmanic tax may be levied or increased only by a minimum of two-thirds affirmative vote of the Council. For purposes of this subsection, “new Councilmanic tax” means a tax for which the Council has the authority to levy but has not, such as the mental health tax (RCW 82.14.460), or is granted to the Council by the State Legislature after January 1, 2013, and which excludes fees, rates and charges, special assessments, taxes imposed by the Council on or before January 1, 2013, and taxes imposed by the Council on or before January 1, 2013 which are subject to renewal or reauthorization, such as the general property tax levy and the excess property tax levy.

(b) to establish the compensation to be paid to all County officers and employees, and to provide for the reimbursement of expenses, except that Councilmembers shall be paid 60 percent of the Executive's compensation, but no Councilmember may receive a salary increase for the term of office during which the ordinance is adopted.

(c) except as otherwise provided for herein, to establish, abolish, combine and divide by ordinance, all departments and boards with quasi-judicial powers, and to establish their powers and responsibilities.

(d) to adopt, by ordinance, comprehensive plans, zoning regulations, and other land use regulations including capital improvement and economic development plans for the present and future development of the County.

(e) to employ personnel to advise the Council.

(f) to, and shall, employ independent and outside competent professional personnel and conduct an ongoing performance audit program designed to improve the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of county government, including performance audits of any department, program, office, or other entity funded in the Pierce County budget unless prohibited by general state law. Performance audits shall be planned and conducted in accordance with Government Auditing Standards published by the Government Accountability Office and endorsed by the Comptroller General of the United States. The Council shall report annually to the public on the highlights of performance audits conducted that year. The annual report shall be made available to the news media and be accessible without charge by interested citizens. Within 90 days of the completion of a performance audit of a program, department or unit of county government, the Council shall hold an evening public hearing to present, review, and allow discussion of action plans developed to respond to audit findings and recommendations.

(g) to specify qualifications of appointed County officials.