Oakland is grappling with a myriad of complex issues ranging from crime to infrastructure maintenance, and many residents are left questioning why the city government seems unable to address these challenges effectively.
Recent discussions around the city’s leadership have highlighted that the root causes of these governance problems may lie within the city’s own charter, which operates similarly to a constitution.
Former City Administrator Steven Falk, who is co-leading the Oakland Charter Reform Project, points out a significant power imbalance: the mayor lacks substantial authority, the city administrator juggles divided loyalties, and the city council often finds itself at odds with both the administration and the mayor.
This disarray has manifested in a general atmosphere of dissatisfaction among Oakland residents, evidenced by low satisfaction ratings in a recent survey conducted by the Budget Advisory Commission.
In a historic turn of events, the city even witnessed the recall of a mayor for the first time in November, which followed a criminal indictment.
Falk, in a December op-ed for the East Bay Times, argued that Oakland’s hybrid governance model—where neither the mayor nor the council holds definitive power—exacerbates these difficulties.
After receiving considerable interest in his ideas, Falk and his co-founders organized the Oakland Charter Reform Project to explore potential structural changes to improve city management.
This initiative involved a significant outreach effort, including focus groups with community organizations and dialogues with residents to identify the common perception that Oakland’s government is currently not operating at an optimal level.
Falk noted that this feedback has led them to take the next step: proposing a series of targeted amendments to the city charter.
The topic of charter reform is gaining traction within various circles, yet opinions on the nature of these changes differ.
During this spring’s mayoral campaign, both leading candidates expressed support for the idea of amending the city charter. Mayor-elect Barbara Lee is planning a series of tasks for her first 100 days in office, which includes forming a task force aimed at modernizing the charter to enhance government accountability.
Gail Wallace, a board member of the League of Women Voters of Oakland, echoes a commitment to significant community involvement in any discussions around governance changes, though the group does not have a formal partnership with the Oakland Charter Reform Project.
Their focus is primarily on ensuring a transparent outreach process and encouraging broad public participation in any proposed reforms.
In line with these sentiments, Wallace attended a recent event organized by civic advocacy group SPUR titled “Making Oakland’s Government Work,” which attracted a crowd eager to engage with city governance suggestions.
SPUR had previously released a report in 2021 serving as a foundational text for discussions on charter reform, though it recommended moving towards a “strong mayor” model, where the mayor would have greater control and accountability over city operations.
The report indicated that as Oakland grows, it necessitates a more consolidated executive structure that compliments its size and complexity, arguing that this would empower the mayor to tackle citywide issues effectively.
In response to SPUR’s report, Councilmember Dan Kalb spearheaded the passage of Measure X in 2022, which instituted some of their suggestions, such as term limits for councilmembers, though it did not alter the overall governance framework.
Nicole Neditch, a policy director at SPUR, reinforced the organization’s enthusiasm for charter reform that clarifies the mayor’s role and creates clearer lines of authority, especially with regard to the city’s financial management and budgeting processes.
On the opposite side of the debate, former Mayor Libby Schaaf endorses the transition to a “strong mayor” structure, highlighting how it aligns accountability expectations with executive power.
Yet, Falk remains unconvinced by the push for a strong mayor system. He noted that most California cities of similar size to Oakland operate with a council-manager type of governance, which he argues tends to be more responsive, efficient, and fiscally responsible.
According to Falk, the belief in council-manager systems stems from statistics showing they generally lead to better bond ratings and reduced corruption.
The Oakland Charter Reform Project is aiming for a proposed ballot measure in the June 2026 primary election, intentionally scheduled prior to the next mayoral election in November.
Falk asserts this approach allows potential mayoral candidates to fully understand the job they are vying for, anchored by clear governance structures.
Wallace from the League of Women Voters emphasized the need for any charter reform ballot measure to be clear and coherent, ensuring that it reflects the overall functioning of the city rather than proposing changes in isolation.
She articulated that any governance alterations should match the organizational structure to fit the model ultimately selected.
Corey Cook, a politics professor at St. Mary’s College, mentioned at the SPUR event that there are no perfect government systems, and their success varies greatly based on local conditions.
The essential question remains: how can Oakland empower its elected officials effectively, creating the right incentives to address the city’s pressing needs?
Cook highlighted the importance of building community trust in any reform efforts to cultivate understanding about the goals of charter changes.
Previous attempts to implement a stronger mayor system in Oakland are known, including Jerry Brown’s Measure X back in 1998.
Falk recognizes the importance of effectively communicating the significance of charter reform to the public, articulating that the concept does indeed impact daily lives in tangible ways.
“The discontent with the current state of affairs in Oakland is undeniable,” he stated, emphasizing the community’s readiness for change.
image source from：https://oaklandside.org/2025/04/28/oakland-charter-reform-strong-mayor-city-manager/
