San Mateo County prepares to review its charter

“It is important that we keep up with the times,” Supervisor Noelia Corzo said. “I think it’s a really important opportunity for the community to have a voice in our charter. We know how important it is.” 

Corzo is slated to be the sitting board president when the charter is reviewed, an endeavor through which she has previously said she looks forward to leading the board. 

The charter has been amended numerous times, including switching from at-large elections to by-district election in 2012, and more recently when voters passed Measure A in March 2025. Though these were conducted outside of the eight-year cycle, the regular review allows for an opportunity for a comprehensive look at the county’s bylaws, County Attorney John Nibbelin said. 

At the meeting Dec. 2, the Board of Supervisors considered a recommended committee of 15 members. These members — selected by a subcommittee of Corzo and current board President David Canepa — include five individuals selected by each board member and representatives from 10 specified organizations. 

“The reason we moved forward with the League of Women Voters and these other organizations is because the county had an existing relationship, they were our trusted partners,” Canepa said. 

However, Supervisor Jackie Speier raised a concern that the specified organizations were limiting and insular. 

“It’s not open-ended so people can apply, it specifies various organizations,” Speier said. “I would like to see at least a number of those spots open to people in general.” 

A suggestion was raised that there should be categories — such as housing, health and children — for which various members of relevant and appropriate organizations could then apply. 

“It feels off to delegate our authority to the organization to pick an individual, and frankly, if there is an organization that is much less known but the individual has an outstanding resume, I may lean to the person with the outstanding resume,” Supervisor Ray Mueller said. 

Supervisors ultimately tabled the item, and will determine what categories they will want represented, and a finalized application, at its next board meeting, slated for Dec. 9.

Committee members will ideally be individuals who have a good understanding of county government, what the charter does and its importance, Nibbelin said. 

To get any ordinance amendment on the ballot in November 2026, there is a slight time restriction placing pressure on getting a committee squared away as quickly as possible, Deputy County Attorney Brian Pettit said.

The Board of Supervisors will likely approve appointments to the committee and identify specific issues for the committee to consider at the scheduled meeting Jan. 13, Pettit said. The committee will then meet twice monthly through April, and will provide a report of any recommendations in May, Pettit said.