The most controversial change involves the county executive position.
Currently, the five supervisors appoint a chief executive officer, who is one of the most powerful officials in the county. The executive oversees daily operations for the county and takes the first stab at drafting the roughly $46-billion annual budget.
If Measure G passes, the executive would be elected by voters.
Supporters say this will bring more accountability, with residents deciding whom they want in charge — and when to boot them out.
Electing a county executive, supporters say, would also give the county government some much-needed checks and balances. The supervisors would head up the legislative branch. Meanwhile, the county executive would have all the executive power. Similar to a mayor, they would be able to veto board policies and have full responsibility for department heads.
“There is no one in charge to force these departments to deliver outcomes,” Horvath said in an interview. “We still have difficulties in getting these departments to work together.”
Mitchell and Barger have countered that the position will be politicized, with a formerly neutral bureaucrat now forced to cater to a political base. Several county employee unions — including those representing firefighters, probation officers and sheriff’s deputies — agree, arguing that an elected executive would create confusion about who’s in charge.