There\u2019s\u00a0a lot of buzz about\u00a0potential\u00a0ballot measures that\u00a0would\u00a0bring San Diego more money,\u00a0or\u00a0secure\u00a0infrastructure dollars\u00a0for Balboa Park.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But at least one councilmember thinks people should be considering something else: a ballot measure that would reduce the mayor\u2019s power.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBased on the neglect that I currently see, it seems the most appropriate ballot measure that should be discussed is a strong mayor form of government and potentially going back to a city manager system,\u201d said Councilmember Henry Foster\u00a0in an interview with Voice of San Diego.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
In 2004,\u00a0voters approved a change in the city\u2019s governance structure from a City Council-Manager form to a\u00a0strong mayor form of government.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Under this form of government, the mayor is the city\u2019s chief executive officer. The city\u2019s major departments all report to the mayor, who has the power to hire and fire people. <\/p>\n
In a weak mayor system, as San Diego previously had, the mayor serves as a member of the City Council and has far less executive power. Department heads all report to a City Manager, who reports to the Council. <\/p>\n
Under the strong mayor system, the city has historically had a chief operating officer, or\u00a0COO,\u00a0that worked with the mayor to manage the city\u2019s day-to-day operations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But last year, Mayor Todd Gloria\u00a0eliminated that position<\/a>\u00a0and decided to take on the role. Some councilmembers tried\u00a0adding that\u00a0position back in last year\u2019s budget negotiations<\/a>, but the\u00a0mayor vetoed their move.\u00a0<\/p>\n