Rules Committee forwards charter amendment to institute two‑year budget cycle, five‑year financial plan and May 15 MOU deadline to Board

Chair Chris Daley opened the Rules Committee and the clerk read Item 1: a charter amendment to move the city to a two‑year budgetary cycle, require adoption of a five‑year financial plan and impose a May 15 deadline for submission of memoranda of understanding for miscellaneous and safety employees.

“This is an item that we've discussed for the last couple of committee hearings,” said President Hsu, describing the measure as “an effort by many folks here at City Hall to reform our budget process” and saying the committee should move the amendment forward so it can reach the November ballot. Hsu said the amendment also would adopt various financial policies intended to guide budgeting over a five‑year horizon.

Supervisor David Campos moved to forward the amendment to the full Board with a committee recommendation. The clerk called the roll: Campos voted aye, President David Chu voted aye and Chair Chris Daley voted no. The motion passed 2–1.

Why it matters: supporters said the package would create predictability in revenue and spending decisions and force earlier alignment between labor agreements and the multi‑year budget plan; opponents raised concerns about whether a charter change is the right vehicle for some of the proposed policy shifts.

What’s next: the committee sent the item to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation; if the Board approves, the amendment would be placed on the November ballot for voter consideration.