The next mayor in San Diego won’t simply take over a new office, they’ll be the first mayor in charge of a new governance structure for the city. With the next inauguration, the city will permanently adopt a strong-mayor style of government.
The strong-mayor scheme has already been used in the city, on a trial basis since 2004 and then permanently in 2010. But the full gamut of responsibilities and capabilities were phased in and will be in full effect after the next mayor takes office.
To help shape the future of the strong mayor, the current City Council President offered ten “fundamental principles” that should govern the mayor’s behavior and assure transparency in government and efficiency in City Hall. Among the recommended principles are notes about communication between the mayor and the council, sharing information before mid-year cuts are made, and instituting policies approved by the council.
The U-T San Diego points out one principle they don’t agree with: what the mayor should do if the Council appoints the mayor to serve as negotiator with the unions. That point should be automatic, in the eyes of the opinion editors at the U-T. The mayor and the City Attorney are the only citywide elected officials San Diego Has.
Read the full story at the U-T San Diego.