Proposition E

City Administrator’s Authority and Changes to City Contracting

Proposition E would amend the Charter to give the City Administrator more authority by centralizing the City’s purchasing rules and processes, changing how the City approves purchasing rules, changing when contracts and leases require Board of Supervisors approval, and extending the City Administrator’s term

This measure requires approval by a majority of voters voting on the measure to pass.

Fiscal Impact: Proposition E establishes a more unified City procurement approach, which may result in reduced costs for the purchase of goods or services and staff time savings in the long run. The amendment may result in changed staffing but does not specify organizational or staffing changes within the City. The proposed Charter amendment also increases the Board of Supervisors’ contract approval monetary thresholds that may reduce the amount of time the Board of Supervisors spend reviewing contracts and the time department staff spend preparing for the Board of Supervisors’ review, freeing the Board of Supervisors, their staff, and department staff to work on other government functions, although at a level that cannot be determined at this time.

See Endorsements for Proposition E

Pro:

Supporters argue that for decades, San Francisco's governing system - or city charter - has increasingly grown to reward city insiders. Mayor Lure is leading a citywide coalition 10 to make the system more accountable to everyday San Franciscans. Clean Up City Hall is a package of Props A, D. E and F to improve neighborhood services, speed up permitting and reduce wasteful spending so we can invest in our great city. They say that Prop E slashes waste in city contracting, stops corrupt dealmaking, requires more accountability for better results, and enforces stronger checks and balances

A YES vote on this measure means: you support amending the Charter to give the City Administrator more authority by centralizing the City’s purchasing rules and processes, changing how the City approves purchasing rules, and extending the City Administrator’s term.

Con:

Opponents argue that Prop D expands City Administrator authority, raising the dollar threshold for Supervisor approval of major contracts. They say that most of what Lurie claims these changes would deliver could be achieved through legislation and regular order if he led his own party toward fiscal discipline, drove the most ideological members off the Board and fought the increasing far-left extremism infecting Democrat leadership.

A NO vote on this measure means: you are against amending the Charter to expand the City Administrator’s authority and processes.You want their role and powers to stay the same.

Background

The Board of Supervisors may adopt ordinances that set rules about how the City selects vendors and enters into contracts for the purchase of commodities and services, public works, and grantmaking. With some exceptions, the City’s Charter requires the Board to approve contracts for all City departments in three categories:

contracts that generate anticipated revenue of $1,000,000 or more for the City, and any amendments to those contracts;
contracts that will last more than ten years or cost the City $10,000,000 or more, and amendments to those contracts costing $500,000 or more; and
real property leases for ten years or more or that generate $1,000,000 or more, and amendments to those agreements.

Under the Charter, the City Administrator acquires commodities and services for City departments, except for the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA), Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Airport Commission (Airport), Port Commission (Port), and some arts departments (Charitable Trust Departments), and as limited by other City laws. The City Administrator also has authority to dispose of City personal property and serves as chair of the Committee on Information Technology and by appointing and managing the City’s Chief Information Officer. The City Administrator is appointed by the Mayor to a five-year term, subject to confirmation by the Board.

Proposal

If approved, Proposition E would give the City Administrator exclusive authority to propose ordinances to the Board governing most aspects of Procurement. Proposed procurement ordinances would pass unless the Board of Supervisors or the Mayor rejects them within 60 days.

The measure would raise the threshold for Board approval of contracts and amendments to those contracts. For revenue‑generating contracts and leases, the threshold would increase from $1,000,000 to $4,500,000. For expenditure contracts, the threshold would increase from $10,000,000 to $25,000,000. Beginning in 2032, the City’s Controller would adjust these thresholds every five years for inflation. The Board would also approve amendments to contracts meeting these thresholds where the amendment would result in a cumulative increase of 50% or more of the original contract or lease amount over the amount last approved by the Board.

The measure would authorize the City Administrator to adopt Procurement rules and regulations that supersede conflicting department rules, and to establish and implement citywide policy for use of technology. The MTA, PUC, Airport, Port, and Charitable Trust Departments would be subject to the City Administrator’s authority regarding Procurement ordinances and rules, direct acquisition of commodities and services, technology, and disposal of personal property, with some exceptions.

The measure would extend the City Administrator’s term from five years to ten years.

Source: Proposition E: Title and Summary

City and County of San Francisco Office of Elections

Pro:

Con:

Background

Proposal

2026 Propositions

2026 Local Ballot Measures

Latest News