Council recommends higher confirmation threshold for department heads and flags inconsistencies across charter language

Following extended discussion about who should confirm department heads, the council voted to recommend a higher confirmation threshold for department-head appointments in chapter 6.

Councilman Chienese and others pointed out inconsistent language across chapter 6: some sections require council confirmation, others are silent. The council approved an amendment to section 6-4 to require a 0.667 (two-thirds) vote of the council to confirm department heads, where the charter does not otherwise provide confirmation rules.

Councilman Perkins urged the council to consider professional search firms for critical technical appointments (for example, the head of the proposed Technology Services department), noting cybersecurity risks and a need for merit-based hiring where technical competence matters. Several members asked the commission to make appointment and removal rules consistent across the charter.

Outcome: The amendment to require a 0.667 confirmation threshold where not otherwise provided passed and will be part of the council27s recommended edits transmitted to the Charter Revision Commission.

Provenance: Debate and amendment took place during chapter 6 review, including discussion of the new Technology Services department (SEG 52502DSEG 5639).