The Board of Supervisors formed a Charter Review Committee to study the existing charter. The Committee recommended a complete revision. After public hearings, the Board approved the revisions subject to voter approval. Voters may call the elections official's office and request that a copy of the revised charter be mailed to them at no cost.
The revised charter contains both substantive and technical changes. The substantive changes are:
1. Section 203 has been revised to provide that a Board of Supervisors' vacancy can be filled by either an election or a Board appointment. Currently, such vacancies are filled in accordance with general law which provides that the Governor makes the appointment if the Board does not call an election.
2. Section 205 has been revised to generally provide that the Board establish by ordinance its meeting schedule. The present charter provides that the Board shall meet in regular session at least once in each of four weeks.
3. Section 206(a)(2) has been revised to provide that Board and Commission members may be removed without cause on a four-fifth (4/5th) vote of the Board of Supervisors. Currently, such members can only be removed for cause.
4. Section 302 has been revised to provide that the Board of Supervisors pick a screening panel for the selection of a new County Manager and the panel is to recommend five to seven candidates to the Board of Supervisors for its final consideration. Currently, the charter provides that the Personnel Director shall select the screening panel and that the panel is to recommend three to seven candidates to the Board.
5. Section 414 has been revised to read that the Board may provide that less than a quorum of any advisory committee may be composed of members who are not County residents. Currently, this section provides that all members of County Boards and Commissions be County residents.
6. Section 415 has been revised to provide that an elected official vacancy shall be filled by a Board appointment or an election. Currently, the Charter provides that such vacancies be filled in accordance with general law, which in turn means an appointment.
7. Section 502(b) provides that certain positions be designated as unclassified service add to the list of unclassified positions legislative staff to members of the Board and privileges that such staff shall not acquire permanent status or tenure as County employees. The proposed revision also makes certain technical changes to this section.
8. Section 504 has been revised to provide that a Civil Service Commissioner may be removed without cause on a four-fifth (4/5th) vote of the Board. Currently, a Commissioner can only be removed for cause.
A "yes" vote on this measure means that the revised charter approved by the Board will be ratified and adopted as the charter of the County of San Mateo.
A "no" vote on this measure means that the existing charter will remain as the charter of the County of San Mateo.
This measure passes if a majority of those voting on the measure vote "yes".