Cal. Government Code § 66499.51

As used in this division: (a) “City council or board of supervisors” includes the proper corresponding governing board and authority in each place where the division applies. (b) “City engineer” and “county surveyor” includes the like or corresponding officer, subject to the direction of the corresponding governing board and authority in each place where the division applies. (c) If there is no city engineer or county surveyor subject to such direction, the corresponding board and authority may employ competent engineers and surveyors to the extent necessary for the carrying out of the purposes of this division in the places subject to its jurisdiction, and the persons so appointed shall have the same authority and shall perform the same duties as are given to and enjoined upon city engineers and county surveyors, respectively, in like cases. The services of engineers and surveyors so employed shall be contracted for, examined, passed upon, audited and paid as are other debts contracted by such governing boards and authorities.