The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted 3-2 to advance a slate of charter reforms which would increase term limits and the power the five-person body holds. If the board approves the charter reforms May 19, they would head to a public vote in November. The 3-2 vote also amended the proposal, giving supervisors the option to appoint a public defender via ordinance, and letting the county counsel make technical modifications to the measure or ballot question as required by law or the county Registrar of Voters. Chair Terra Lawson-Remer proposed the reforms earlier this month, including an independent ethics commission, independent budget analyst, independent program auditor — all of which would report to the supervisors first — and consistent term limits across all county elected offices. This last point, if unchanged from the proposal, would allow supervisors to run for three four-year terms, instead of the current limit of two four-year terms. However, it also would impose term limits on the sheriff, district attorney and other county elected officials who currently have none. Along with Lawson-Remer, Supervisors Paloma Aguirre and Monica Montgomery Steppe were in favor. Their colleagues Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond were opposed. “This has been a really interesting, difficult process,” Lawson- Remer said on Tuesday. “The hope here is that we have at least created a framework.” The vote followed a lengthy public comment period and debate among the supervisors. Anderson said he wanted to support the measure, but suggested residents have more time to review it, especially if there are additional changes. “This is huge,” he said, adding that it maybe perhaps the biggest proposal the board has ever considered. “I believe there’s compromise in the air,” but more time is needed for that Anderson said. Lawson-Remer said that on May 19, supervisors will have a chance to consider other options. Desmond said he supports an ethics commission, program auditor and an independent budget analyst,– but described a possible three-term term limits as “the worst form of politics and self-serving politicians.” He noted that a 2010 county measure, passed by 68% of voters, was originally promoted by the Service Employees International Union. “I’m OK with three terms, but it’s self-serving for us to take advantage of it,” Desmond said. Aguirre said that when it comes to independent oversight, “We are the voice of the people,” she said, and if voters don’t like the job they’re doing, they can make another choice in a free and fair election. Dozens of people, including many union members, spoke in favor of the overhaul. One man said some form of term limits makes sense, and that the public deserves clear oversight. “At my level as a county employee, if something goes wrong, especially involving public resources, we are held accountable.” That standard should apply at every level of government, he added. Parke Troutman, a member of SanDiego350, an environmental group, said that government “only works if we have confidence in it.” Several speakers took issue with more terms for supervisors “We don’t want another life-term politician like what we had in the past,” one man said. “I oppose this idea whole-heartedly. “ Mary Davis, who calls herself “Oliver Twist,” held a sign a small sign depicting woman dressed as a queen and stating, “Lawson-Remer Changing Laws to Stay in Power,” and “No Queens in San Diego.” She said the proposal is about “crowning a de facto queen at the County Administration Center,” rather than empowering residents. “I urge a no vote on these reforms,” she said, describing the proposal as just more political theater. Lawson-Remer unveiled the proposal in early April. “Today, local governments, especially county governments, are being asked to fill gaps in the social safety net created by failures of leadership at the federal level,” Kyra Greene told the board. “That’s why now more than ever, San Diegans should be doing everything we can to protect and strengthen local democratic institutions.” Greene is executive director of the Center on Policy Initiatives which describes itself as “a nonprofit research and action institute dedicated to achieving economic and racial justice throughout San Diego County. The intention of the reforms, proponents said, is to “strengthen accountability, transparency, stability, checks and balances, independent oversight and effective government.” The proposed changes would be required to be added in a “revenue-neutral” way, meaning no new spending or reduced services. “San Diego County’s governance structure has not kept pace with its size and complexity,” former San Diego City Manager Jack McGrory said. “Charter reform will strengthen transparency, accountability, and ethics at the county. I appreciate the board’s courage in partnering with community leaders to champion reforms that will make a real difference for the residents of San Diego County.” Desmond, who is barred from running for reelection to the Board of Supervisors because of term limits and instead running for the 48th Congressional District seat in the House of Representatives, said earlier the proposal was smoke and mirrors to give elected officials more power. “Every sitting supervisor ran under the current rules,” he wrote to supporters. “We asked you to hire us for up to eight years. That was the contract. You don’t get to win an election under one set of rules and then, from inside the building, vote to put a new set of rules on the ballot that extends your own stay. “If the board majority genuinely believes 12 years serves San Diego County better than eight, there is an honest path. The same path the voters used in 2010. Gather signatures.  Make the case to your neighbors. Let a citizen movement, not a board vote, carry the question to the ballot.” Lawson-Remer said actions taken by the Trump administration prompted the push for greater transparency and accountability by government officials. “Civic and business leaders have talked about the need of having clearer oversight in such a large county for many years,” business owner Mel Katz said. “Small business owners don’t have access to legal teams and depend on government systems to be transparent, clear, fair and accountable.” San Diego County’s charter has not been significantly updated since 1978. Lawson-Remer said it was high time that changed. “I am so honored to work with such a diverse group of community leaders to hopefully bring a thoughtful set of charter reform proposals to the voters for consideration,” she said. ...read more read less