Oakland voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to replace the city's hybrid government with a strong-mayor system. Measure EE is a charter amendment and needs a simple majority to pass.

Why it matters: It would be the biggest change to who runs Oakland City Hall since voters passed Measure X in 1998.

What a yes vote does

  • Makes the mayor the chief executive in charge of city operations.
  • Gives the mayor a veto over legislation and a line-item budget veto. The council could override with 6 of 8 votes.
  • Ends the mayor's tie-breaking vote on the council.
  • Gives the mayor direct authority over most departments. The council would confirm the heads of finance, human resources, public works and transportation.
  • Makes council members full-time and bars outside jobs. The Public Ethics Commission would set elected officials' salaries every two years.
  • Creates an Office of Independent Budget and Legislative Analyst and gives the council subpoena power.

Cost

The city auditor's July 8 analysis estimated pay and benefits could rise $36,000 to $108,000 per council member, depending on the Ethics Commission. Including the new analyst office, first-year costs were estimated at $2 million to $2.6 million.

Supporters and opponents

Supporters, including Mayor Barbara Lee and council members Kevin Jenkins, Carroll Fife, Rowena Brown and Charlene Wang, say the current system leaves no one clearly accountable. SPUR, a sponsor, recommends yes.

Opponents, including council members Noel Gallo, Ken Houston, Janani Ramachandran and Zac Unger, call it a power grab and say council raises would worsen the city's budget problems, according to KQED's voter guide.

Sources: KQED voter guide; SPUR voter guide; Oakland City Auditor via Bay Area Registry.