SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The County Board of Supervisors is considering a series of updates to the county’s charter, including a proposal to extend term limits for supervisors and potentially establish limits for other county-elected offices.

County Chair Terra Lawson-Remer is leading the effort, which would increase the current limit for supervisors from two to three four-year terms.

“The critical importance of balancing the need for fresh ideas with the need for experience in county government,” Lawson-Remer said.

Supporters of the proposal point out that San Diego currently has one of the shortest term limits among large counties in California. The existing two-term limit was approved by voters through a citizens’ initiative in 2010.

“There are three counties that have three terms and six counties that have no terms,” said Jack McGrory.

However, critics argue that the proposal benefits current officeholders.

“What I don’t like about what’s going on here today is it’s a politician’s initiative, and the politicians putting that forward are the very ones that are going to benefit from it,” said Supervisor Jim Desmond.

The proposal suggests applying term limits to other elected positions, such as district attorney and sheriff. However, there is currently no state law to support mandating term limits for those roles, as there is for county supervisors.

“For a lot of reasons, people are asking questions about where their tax dollars are going, and are they being used as effectively as they can be,” said Kyra Greene, executive director of the Center on Policy Initiative.

In addition to term limit changes, the charter update includes measures aimed at increasing accountability and transparency.

Proposed reforms include creating an independent budget analyst, an independent program auditor and an ethics commission with authority over elected officials.

The plan also calls for expanded public input and a board confirmation process for key county leadership positions.

Desmond said those reforms could be implemented without changing the charter or altering term limits.

“They want to get something passed, they put all nice things all around it. It’s kind of a distraction,” he said.

Lawson-Remer emphasized that voters would ultimately decide the issue.

“We should give voters the opportunity to take a second look and to reconsider. At the end of the day, it really is up to voters. It’s not up to us,” she said.

The effort ultimately passed in a 3-2 vote, with Supervisors Anderson and Desmond voting ‘no.’

A second reading of the proposal is scheduled for May 19, with the goal of placing the measure on the November 2026 ballot.

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