City Administrator Carmen Chu's Statement on the Passage of Proposition E

SAN FRANCISCO—City Administrator Carmen Chu released the following statement in response to the passage of Proposition E, which gives the City Administrator greater authority to establish citywide rules for contracting and technology:

"By approving Proposition E, San Francisco voters have sent a clear message that they want a government that works for the people it serves.

Improving our City’s contracting and technology practices is the first step to better government services. The City spends over $6 billion per year on contracts to purchase everything from medical supplies for our hospitals to fuel for emergency vehicles. How we buy goods and services has a direct impact on our ability to deliver for San Franciscans. And we need the right technology tools on hand in order to effectively run our operations.

Prop E’s passage allows us to change the outdated rules that no longer make sense. We will be working to make sure our rules serve the public interest and strengthen ethical safeguards against the misuse of public funds. Today, we are setting the tone from the top that San Francisco operates with integrity and accountability in everything we do—so we can make every taxpayer dollar count.

We take this responsibility seriously and look forward to advancing reforms that make our government more efficient, transparent, and responsive to the people we serve.”

About Proposition E

Proposition E gives the City Administrator greater authority to establish citywide rules for how the City contracts for goods and services needed to serve the public. In addition, Prop E gives the City Administrator authority to establish citywide technology policies and systems and coordinate across departments to help the City deliver major public infrastructure projects.

About the City Administrator’s Office

The City Administrator plays a central role in City operations, overseeing more than 20 departments, divisions, and programs essential to how San Francisco serves the public. These include the Department of Technology, Office of Contract Administration, Real Estate, Fleet Management, and Capital Planning.

The City Administrator’s Office represents more than $500 million in annual expenditures and a workforce of over 1,000 dedicated City employees.

The City Administrator is one of two positions in City government appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Board of Supervisors (the other being the Controller). By law, the City Administrator must have at least ten years of governmental management or finance experience.

Learn more about City Administrator Carmen Chu.