Sunnyvale council directs three charter amendments to November ballot, defers pay raise measure

The Sunnyvale City Council on May 19 directed staff to place three charter amendments on the November 2026 ballot after reviewing professional polling conducted for the city. The measures that the council moved forward are:

- Allowing the city flexibility in public-works contracting selection methods (charter amendment to permit alternatives to an obligate lowest-qualified-bid requirement),
- Allowing the City Council to establish by ordinance a maximum city-manager settlement authority (staff recommended aligning the council-set threshold with the existing $250,000 purchasing authority), and
- Consolidating vacancy elections so that special elections to fill council vacancies are held in November general elections when feasible, reducing the chance of costly low-turnout standalone elections.

Assistant City Manager Connie Verscellis summarized the charter review commission’s work and introduced polling results from FM3 (Kurt). Polling interviewed roughly 600 likely November voters and presented each proposed amendment with neutral explanations, then pro/con language. The public-works contracting and settlement-authority items moved from modest initial support into clear majority support after explanation; the vacancy-timing amendment enjoyed the broadest initial support. A proposed increase to mayor and council compensation (several scenarios tested) consistently polled below 50% support and drew more intense opposition; staff and the council recommended deferring compensation and the council agreed.

Council members emphasized clarity of ballot language, the need to preserve voters’ choice, and that each measure would be listed separately so voters can consider them independently. Staff estimated incremental election costs and confirmed funds were available in the election budget to put three measures on the ballot.

Outcome: Council voted unanimously to place the three administrative/operational charter amendments on the November 2026 ballot and to defer the compensation measure. Staff will return with final ballot language and the required materials to put the measures before voters.