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Rules Committee introduces charter amendments on 'must-spend' appropriations and office of management and budget; items continued
Summary
The committee discussed a proposed amendment to Charter section 9.103 to let the Board designate certain appropriations as mandatory spending and an amendment to create an Office of Management and Budget with a two-year budget cycle; both items were introduced and scheduled for further consideration.
Committee members introduced two charter amendments related to city budget process and management.
First, the chair presented a first-draft amendment to section 9.103 that would allow the Board of Supervisors to designate identified appropriations as mandatory ("must spend") and require departments to report their expenditure plans to the board. The chair framed the change as a remedy to a structural tension between the mayor and the board over discretionary spending and a way to align public expectations with outcomes. Supervisor David Campos voiced support, saying the change could create better balance and accountability without removing the mayor’s veto authority.
Second, the clerk read Item 6, a first-draft charter amendment to create an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) whose director would be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the board to a 10-year term, institute a two-year budget cycle, and require adoption of a five-year financial plan. Sponsors asked to continue scheduling of item 6 so it could be heard alongside related budget reform proposals and to accommodate members’ calendars.
Outcome: The committee introduced the measures and agreed to continue their consideration (to be calendared in July or at the call of the chair) so sponsors and committee members can align related budget items. No committee vote on the substance of the charter amendments occurred at this meeting.
