Measure X

Oakland City Council Reform

CITY OF OAKLAND—Would amend the Charter to establish Councilmember term limits, require two hearings before Council places certain measures on the ballot; count Councilmember abstentions and absences as "no" votes in determining whether Mayor may break a tie; provide Public Ethics Commission discretion in setting Councilmember salaries; and other City Council reforms. Measure X requires a simple majority (50% + 1) to pass.

Fiscal Impact: Would cost the City an estimated additional $858,199 annually in staffing costs (more detailed information on fiscal impacts available here).

Next Alameda County Measure: Measure Y

See Endorsements for Measure X

Councilmember Term Limits

Members of the City Council ("Council") are elected to four-year terms. There are no term limits. This measure would prohibit a Councilmember from serving more than three consecutive terms, except that a district Councilmember may serve up to three consecutive terms followed by up to three consecutive terms as an at-large Councilmember. Councilmeinber terms that began before January 2023 shall not count towards the term limits.

Hearings on Proposed Ballot Measures

State law requires the Council to hold at least one public hearing before placing a measure on the ballot. This measure would require the Council to hold at least two public hearings at least 10 calendar days apart before placing general obligation bonds, parcel taxes, or Charter amendments on the ballot.

Councilmember Salaries

The Public Ethics Commission ("Commission") adjusts the salary for Councilmembers every two years based on the increase in the consumer price index ("CPI"). The Commission may adjust salaries beyond the increase in CPI up to five percent per year. The voters inay approve increases above five percent in a year. This measure provides that the Commission adjusts the salaries every two years based on CPI increases, up to a total of five percent for the two years. But if the total CPI increase over the prior two years exceeds five percent, the Commission may adjust salaries up to five percent per year but may not adjust the salaries more than the CPI increase per year. The measure removes the ability of the voters to approve increases above five percent by ordinance.

Mayoral Tie-Breaking Vote

The Mayor does not have a vote on the Council, but the Charter authorizes the Mayor to cast a tie-breaking vote when the Council is evenly divided. This measure provides that for purposes of determining whether there is a tie, a Councilmember' s abstention or absence shall count as a "no" vote.

City Attorney and City Auditor Salaries

The Council sets the salary of the City Attorney and the City Auditor. This measure provides that the Commission would set these salaries based on the salaries of the highest paid professional employee in their respective offices, other City department heads, and comparable positions in California jurisdictions.

City Attorney and City Auditor Political Activities

This measure would prohibit the City Attorney and the City Auditor from making or soliciting contributions to, publicly endorsing, or participating in the campaign of a candidate for City elective officer, or of a City ballot measure. 

City Auditor

This measure specifies when the Office of City Auditor becomes vacant and a process for filling the vacancy. This measure establishes further qualifications and additional duties for the City Auditor. The Charter does not set minimum staffing in the Office of the City Auditor. This measure provides that the budget for the Office of the City Auditor must be sufficient for at least fourteen full-time employees, unless the Council determines for a given fiscal year or two-year budget cycle that the City is facing an extreme fiscal necessity. 

Source: City Attorney's Impartial Analysis of Measure X

City of Oakland Elections Office