The mayor would appoint most department heads
Measure EE would make the mayor Oakland’s chief executive officer and give the office broad responsibility for managing city departments. Most permanent department-head appointments would not require Council confirmation. That would move substantial administrative and personnel authority to an elected political office. Proposed Charter §§ 305(a), 600.
These are some of the highest-paying roles in City Hall. A mayor could use broad appointment authority to reward friends or political allies, or to put pressure on department heads whose professional judgment conflicts with the mayor’s priorities. Appointments and removals affect how departments work and which needs get attention. We want those decisions to be based on the ability to deliver services for Oaklanders.
A charter has to work even when a mayor misuses the authority it provides. That is why we believe broad appointment and removal powers need stronger, more consistent checks.
Which appointments would still need Council confirmation?
Measure EE would still require Council confirmation for the City Administrator and permanent heads of Human Resources, Finance, and specified infrastructure departments. Civil-service protections and other Charter exceptions would remain. §§ 305(n), 600.
For those department-head positions, a nominee would be deemed confirmed if Council did not act within 30 days. Interim appointments would not need initial confirmation; Council approval would be required for an interim appointment to exceed 120 days. § 600(b).
Those provisions retain some Council review, but most department-head appointments would be outside that process. We do not think the remaining exceptions provide enough oversight of the mayor’s hiring and removal decisions.
What would happen to the City Administrator?
Measure EE would keep a City Administrator. Finance and Human Resources would be the Administrator’s guaranteed departments, and the mayor could assign additional departments. The mayor would direct the Administrator and could remove them after advising Council. §§ 305(n), 503–504.
The role would therefore remain, and it could cover more than two departments. But the mayor would hold the chief executive authority and decide much of the Administrator’s portfolio. We’re concerned about the effect that arrangement would have on professional administration and independent judgment.
Why this matters beyond the current mayor
These powers would belong to Barbara Lee and to the mayors who come after her. We want the charter to protect Oakland from patronage and political pressure regardless of who holds the office.
Measure EE would not legalize bribery or other unlawful conduct. Our concern is that reducing checks on appointments would create more opportunities for abuse. We do not believe the proposal strikes the right balance between executive leadership, professional administration, and independent oversight.
Read the full adopted measure, or continue to neighborhood representation.