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Council advances ordinance to cap paid acting department heads at 120 days without council approval
Summary
Bill 3 of 2026 would amend the administrative code to limit paid acting department head appointments to 120 days during a mayoral term unless the council grants advice and consent; after 120 days the controller would be prohibited from issuing related compensation unless authorized by council.
The Administration Committee reviewed Bill 3 of 2026, a proposed amendment to the city's administrative code that would limit acting department head appointments to a 120‑day paid period during a mayor's term unless the appointment has received council advice and consent.
Committee members read the proposed amendment aloud: the mayor "may appoint an acting department head for a time period not to exceed 120 days" and "no individual may serve or be entitled to compensation as an acting department head for more than 120 days during a mayor's term of office without the approval of the council; upon expiration of the 120‑day acting appointment period the controller shall be prohibited from approving or issuing any further compensation associated with such appointment."
Council members discussed exceptions such as temporary leave (for example parental leave) and noted the ordinance is intended to address excessive long‑term acting appointments arising from prior practice. Several members said the change was part of a joint stipulation from recent litigation and reflects a desire for clearer executive‑legislative oversight of department leadership and pay.
The committee moved Bill 3 to the next legislative agenda for a formal vote.
