San Diego County officials are considering a charter modernization proposal that would extend the term limits for members of the Board of Supervisors from eight years to 12 years. Introduced by current Chair Terra Lawson-Remer, the proposal also includes measures such as establishing independent oversight on ethics, budget, and evaluation of county services.
San Diego’s county governance operates under a charter, allowing the county government to make decisions independent from state law and to enact reforms such as term extensions for elected positions. The board seats five members. The county cannot adopt, amend, or repeal its charter without approval from a majority of voters. It was most recently amended in 2018.
Under the current charter, county supervisors are limited to two four-year terms, with a maximum of eight years total in office. The proposal would extend this limit, allowing supervisors to serve up to three four-year terms, a maximum of 12 years in office.
The proposal frames the reforms as part of an effort to align the county’s governance with California’s broader legislative system, where California senators and assemblymembers can serve for up to 12 years.
“Allowing Elected Officials to serve up to 12 years provides sufficient time to develop expertise, oversee a large and complex County government, and guide major initiatives from conception through implementation, while safeguarding against entrenchment and encouraging the periodic emergence of new leaders with new ideas,” Lawson-Remer wrote in the proposal.
Lawson-Remer describes the changes as necessary, given the county’s size and responsibilities, noting that San Diego County currently manages a more than $8.6 billion budget and provides services to over 3.3 million residents.
Jim Desmond, a member of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, voiced opposition to the proposal, citing a 2010 vote when 68% of San Diego County residents voted in favor of limiting the board to eight years in office.
Desmond argues that extending term limits would decrease the opportunities for new candidates to bring new ideas to the table.
“These positions were never meant to be lifelong careers,” Desmond said. “Extending term limits and creating elected administrative offices turns public service into permanent political employment.”
The implementation of new term limits would occur as part of the county charter amendment process, if the board approves the charter changes. The second draft reading is scheduled for May 19; it must then be approved by San Diegans during the November general election.
If adopted by voters, the change would immediately apply to sitting supervisors, as well as establish the framework for extending the term limits of other county elected offices in the future.
