Mayor Lurie pitches charter reforms to centralize contracting and shorten ballots

Mayor Daniel Lurie addressed the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on March 10 to outline a package of charter reforms he said are designed to speed city projects, simplify ballots and increase executive accountability.

"Our city charter is one is 1 of the longest in the country. It's bloated and it's broken," Lurie said, arguing the city’s contracting rules are fragmented across departments and add cost and delay. He told the board his package would move contracting authority to the city administrator "so we can set consistent citywide standards that will cut red tape, reduce delays, and save taxpayer dollars."

Lurie also said the reforms would "make our ballots shorter and simpler," by adjusting signature requirements and ending the mayor's unilateral authority to place measures on the ballot. On accountability, he proposed giving the mayor clearer authority to hire and remove department heads while creating stronger lines of accountability for unelected commissioners.

Board President Mandelmann thanked Lurie for the presentation and noted the proposals will require further review by the board and committees. Mandelmann said he supported further consideration and described the package as aimed at improving results for residents.

The mayor’s remarks were presented as a special order; the board acknowledged the presentation and the matter was filed for follow‑up rather than put to an immediate vote. No formal ordinance or charter amendment was voted on at this meeting; supervisors signaled they expect more detailed committee hearings and technical work before any measure is introduced to the ballot.