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Committee declines to advance giving CEO unilateral hiring/firing authority for appointed department heads
Summary
After public comment and committee discussion recalling the 2020 measure fight, the Charter Review Committee voted to remove from its active list an item that would have granted the county executive officer full hiring/firing authority over appointed department heads without board confirmation.
The Charter Review Committee debated whether to pursue a charter amendment that would expand the county executive officer’s authority to appoint, suspend or remove appointed department heads without board confirmation.
Committee members recalled the 2020 ballot effort on a similar question, when a measure to change the Civil Service Commission process was defeated by voters. Public commenters warned that concentrating hiring and firing authority in the CEO could reduce transparency and accountability. Others noted the CEO needs tools to hold department heads accountable when the board assigns specific duties.
After discussion the committee voted to remove the item from its active list and not advance a draft amendment at this time. Several members said the issue generated strong public interest and would require careful, separate study before any future recommendation.
