Committee begins its review of county’s government

The county’s 16-member Charter Review Committee met Wednesday for the second time, reports the Mercury News.

The biggest issue before the committee is district elections for the Board of Supervisors.  San Mateo is the only county in California that elects its supervisors at large.

Other topics proposed Wednesday by committee members include:

• Consolidating county departments
• Redrawing supervisor district boundaries
• Establishing new campaign finance rules
• Revising or creating qualifications for certain elected offices
• Eliminating redundant boards and commissions

The committee will hold meetings every other Wednesday now through June and is expected to eventually forward its recommended changes to the board of supervisors, which could then choose to place them on the ballot. Charter changes require 50 percent voter approval.

The committee’s next meeting will take place Feb. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at 455 County Center, Redwood City.

The charter was last reviewed in 2002.