Supervisors Advance Charter Reform Measure

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 on April 21 to advance a package of charter reforms to a second board vote in May. (nbcsandiego.com) The board scheduled the required second vote for May 19; if it passes again the measure would head to county voters on the November 2026 ballot. (cbs8.com) The package would let supervisors serve three four‑year terms instead of two — effectively raising the maximum from eight to 12 years — and was introduced by Board Chair Terra Lawson‑Remer. (cbs8.com) Supporters say the reforms also create an independent ethics commission, a nonpartisan county budget analyst and a program auditor to evaluate taxpayer‑funded services. (cbs8.com) Other provisions would give the five‑member board new authority over top county hires, including the power to approve and remove senior officials, and some proposals have floated turning the chief administrative officer into an elected county mayor. (voiceofsandiego.org) Republican Supervisors Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond voted against advancing the package; Desmond called the proposal “self‑serving” and critics during public comment warned longer terms could weaken accountability. (10news.com) If approved by voters, the amendments would extend supervisors’ tenure and install oversight offices that report to the board, changes supporters say will modernize governance for a county of San Diego’s size. (voiceofsandiego.org) San Diego voters first approved the current two‑term limit in 2010, and under the county charter any amendment must be approved by a majority of voters to take effect. (10news.com) The board will take a second vote on May 19; Chair Terra Lawson‑Remer said the final decision will rest with voters in November. (cbs8.com)