Voters in the city of Santa Clara will decide Measure C on Nov. 3, 2026, a charter amendment that would rewrite how the city hires contractors to build and repair parks, libraries, streets, and water, sewer and electric lines. The rules it would replace were written in 1952 and have not changed since, according to the city.

Why it matters: Under today's charter, the City Council must sign off on any public works contract over $1,000, and nearly every project must go to the lowest bidder after a full design is finished. Measure C would raise that approval line to $250,000 and let the city use other contracting methods, such as design-build, on bigger projects.

What the current rules require

According to the city's FAQ and the impartial analysis, Section 1310 of the Santa Clara charter now requires:

  • City Council approval for public works contracts over $1,000
  • Bids advertised in an official newspaper, a step the council can waive only for an "urgent necessity"
  • Contracts awarded to the lowest responsible bidder
  • Council approval before city employees take on public works worth more than $1,000

What Measure C would change

If Measure C passes, the city manager could approve "minor" public works contracts worth less than $250,000, and the City Council would approve "major" projects of $250,000 or more. The city says that matches the $250,000 threshold it already uses for buying other goods and services.

Competitive bidding would remain the norm. Major projects would still need advertised, formal bids, with exceptions allowed when justified, for example when only a few contractors are qualified for the work. Most contracts would still go to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

The big change is "best value" contracting. Under design-build, one team designs and builds a project under a single contract, chosen on experience and qualifications as well as price, and construction can start before every design detail is final. The council would have to decide that a method is in the city's best interest before using it. City employees could still do public works, with council approval required for jobs of $250,000 or more.

The detailed rules would come later in an ordinance the council must adopt at a public meeting.

What it would cost or save

Measure C does not raise any tax. The impartial analysis says it is projected to save staff time now spent bringing very small contracts to the council, and that best-value methods may save money on some projects. The city's FAQ adds that those savings are not guaranteed.

Who is for and against

The City Council placed Measure C on the ballot after a unanimous recommendation from the city's Charter Review Committee. The argument in favor says the charter limits Santa Clara to one method, design-bid-build, which can slow complex projects, drive up bids and lead contractors not to bid at all. It notes that design-build is already allowed for California general law cities and for many charter cities, including San Jose. No official argument against Measure C was submitted.

What a yes or no vote means

  • Yes: the 1952 charter rules are replaced with the $250,000 threshold and allowance for best-value contracting.
  • No: the current rules, including council approval above $1,000, stay in place.

Measure C needs a simple majority to pass. See every Santa Clara County measure and race in our Nov. 3, 2026 election guide.