Proposition D

City Commissions and Mayoral Authority

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Would amend the City Charter to Limit the City to a total of 65 commissions (down from 130), retaining commissions that are required by federal or state law. The Board could by ordinance reauthorize or restructure those commissions, subject to the 65-commission limit and allow the Mayor to appoint at least two-thirds of the members of reauthorized, restructured or new commissions, and some retained commissions. If Proposition D passes with more votes than Proposition E, then Proposition E would have no legal effect. Proposition D is a charter amendment that requires 50%+1 affirmative votes to pass.

Fiscal Impact: Should the proposed Charter amendment be approved by the voters, in my opinion, it would generate moderate savings ranging from $350,000 to $630,000 annually in stipend and health benefit costs. Additional savings may result from reduced administrative or staff costs as the number of commissions decreases.

Next San Francsico County Measure: Measure E

See Endorsements for Proposition D

Details

Pro/Con
Pro: 

Supporters argue that our government is dysfunctional and has failed to solve the challenges San Francisco faces from open air drug markets to homelessness. A major reason why are hidden layers of bureaucracy and a bloated commission system. San Francisco has an absurd number of City commissions. There are approximately 130 commissions and over 1,200 commissioners even though cities like Los Angeles and San Diego have fewer than 50 commissions. Many of our commissions are redundant, wasteful, and ineffective.

A YES vote on this measure means: you want to limit the total number of commissions the City may have to 65, give the Mayor sole authority to appoint and remove City department heads, and give the Police Chief sole authority to adopt rules governing police officers’ conduct.

Con: 

Opponents argue that Prop D claims to make government more effective but will in fact drastically reduce public oversight and accountability. It takes a meat ax to dozens of commissions which provide for public participation, oversight and accountability, checks and balances in government, citizen engagement, and transparency. There is a better way to streamline our commissions: Yes on E.

A NO vote on this measure means: you do not want to make these changes.

In Depth

The City currently has about 130 appointed boards, commissions and advisory bodies (commissions). Prop D  would make these changes to the City Charter:

  • Limit the City to a total of 65 commissions.

  • Retain 20 Charter commissions, including Police, Fire, Recreation and Park, Municipal Transportation Agency, Public Utilities and Ethics, and those overseeing employee health benefits and retirement. The measure would also allow the City to retain commissions that are required by federal or state law.

  • Remove 24 Charter commissions, including Public Health, Library, Human Rights, Human Services, Arts, Environment, Small Business and Juvenile Probation, subject to the City reauthorizing or restructuring them within the 65-commission limit. The Board could later reestablish these bodies as advisory commissions by ordinance. 

  • Establish a five-member task force that would recommend within nine months which commissions should be reauthorized or restructured or dissolved to stay within the 65-commission limit. This task force would be appointed by the Mayor, the President of the Board, the Controller, the City Administrator and the City Attorney.

  • The Board could by ordinance reauthorize or restructure those commissions within the 16-month period after the measure’s effective date to prevent them from being dissolved. The Board could later reestablish and create new commissions, subject to the 65-commission limit.

  • Require that any commissions the Board reauthorizes, restructures or creates could only advise the Board and Mayor, and have no decision-making authority except as mandated by state or federal law. Decision-making authority would transfer from commissioners to department heads. Authority to decide appeals and other proceedings would transfer to hearing officers.

  • Allow the Mayor to appoint, without Board review, at least two-thirds of the members of reauthorized, restructured or new commissions, and some retained commissions. The Board would have authority to appoint up to one-third of the members of those commissions. The Board and Mayor could each remove the members they appoint for any lawful reason.

Proposition D also would:

  • Prohibit the City from paying commissioners or providing them with health care benefits. 

  • Give the Mayor sole authority to appoint and remove most City department heads. 

  • Give the Police Chief sole authority to adopt rules governing police officers’ conduct. 

The Police Commission would retain authority to discipline police officers and retain oversight over the Department of Police Accountability. 

If Proposition D passes with more votes than Proposition E, then Proposition E would have no legal effect.

Source: Final Digest - City Commissions and Mayoral Authority

Voter Resources

City and County of San Francisco Office of Elections

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