New Orleans voters will decide November 8 whether to amend the City’s charter to require City Council confirmation of the mayor’s appointments of all department heads and allow the council to confirm certain other administrators. Currently, the charter authorizes the mayor to make these appointments without the council’s approval or input. If approved, the amendment would take effect January 1, 2023. It would apply only to appointments made on or after that date. Because the amendment would not apply to current administrators, the primary impact would be on future mayoral administrations.
Proponents say the charter change is necessary to provide an additional layer of scrutiny to help ensure top administrators are well qualified and ready for the job. Opponents say the change would usurp a key mayoral power and could lead to gridlock and political dealmaking between the mayor and council.
The mayor vetoed an ordinance to place the charter amendment on the ballot, but the council voted 5-2 to override the veto, giving voters the final say.
The proposed charter amendment would:
FOR. The charter amendment would provide significant transparency benefits to help make all mayoral administrations more open and responsive to the public. Requiring the City Council’s confirmation of mayoral appointments of department heads would set a clear expectation for public accountability before administrators take office. The confirmation process also would give appointees an opportunity to explain to the council and citizens how they would apply their experience and expertise to improve the department and address any problems it faces. Such a process would provide an additional check to help ensure the City’s top administrators are well qualified and capable. These benefits have made council confirmation of department heads a widespread practice among large cities with mayor-council forms of government, like New Orleans. Extending the option of council confirmation to other top administrative positions would provide another check on the broad mayoral authority to create special offices and bestow executive powers on them. However, the council should use its confirmation authority judiciously to avoid overburdening the executive branch.
BGR’s support of the charter amendment is not a criticism of the current administration, which would face a more limited impact from council confirmation than subsequent administrations. Rather, BGR finds that the charter amendment would improve the selection process by increasing transparency and accountability for all administrations. Fully realizing these benefits will hinge on how the council addresses gaps and ambiguities in the proposal. The lack of details on the confirmation process increases the potential for political dealmaking. This could undermine the integrity of the vetting process by shifting the focus away from appointees’ qualifications. To reduce this risk, the City Council should establish a clear process and criteria for evaluating prospective appointees. In addition, the council should clarify the provision allowing the mayor to make interim appointments to avoid potential litigation and gridlock. In establishing the confirmation process, the council should engage with the mayor. Such collaboration would help ensure that the charter amendment serves as a check and balance, rather than a political tool.
This report is part of BGR’s On the Ballot series, which provides voters with objective, nonpartisan analysis of significant ballot propositions in the New Orleans metropolitan area. In producing these reports, BGR recommends positions consistent with its mission of promoting informed public policy making and the effective use of public resources to improve local government. On the Ballot reports highlight the strengths and weaknesses of ballot propositions and assess the potential for government expenditures or actions to efficiently achieve beneficial outcomes for citizens.
OVERVIEW These On the Ballot reports inform New Orleans voters about three propositions on the October 14, 2023 ballot: the renewal of a property tax for public school facilities and charter amendments on code enforcement and the City budget process. The Orleans Parish School Board is seeking to renew a property tax of up to 4.97 […]
OVERVIEW This page provides a brief online report and the video recording of BGR’s May 24, 2023 webinar, “Designing City Governments for Success.”
OVERVIEW In this report, BGR provides voters with nonpartisan analysis of a proposal to require New Orleans City Council confirmation of the mayor’s appointments of department heads and authorize the council to confirm certain other administrators.
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Overview BGR analyzes a November 8, 2016 proposition that would amend New Orleans’ charter to allow for the permanent separation of the Independent Police Monitor from the Office of Inspector General.
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Overview In On the Ballot: October 19, 2013, BGR explains, analyzes and takes positions on three tax propositions on the ballot in Jefferson Parish and two proposed charter amendments in New Orleans, one of which would reform the Sewerage & Water Board. The Jefferson tax propositions are renewals of property taxes for the Jefferson Parish […]
Overview In On the Ballot: November 6, 2012, BGR examines three proposed constitutional amendments, two propositions pertaining to multiple parishes in the New Orleans area, a proposed change to the City of New Orleans charter and two local tax propositions. The three constitutional amendments would strengthen gun rights, provide an additional homestead exemption to spouses […]
Overview BGR examines charter amendments, tax propositions and state constitutional amendments on the October and November 2011 ballots. The October 22 ballot includes a Jefferson Parish charter amendment to establish the Office of Inspector General and an Ethics and Compliance Commission, as well as a related property tax to fund both entities. It also includes […]
Overview BGR analyzes two Orleans Parish propositions and two State constitutional amendments on the ballot for October 2, 2010. The two Orleans Parish propositions would amend the Home Rule Charter of the City of New Orleans to reconfigure the governance of City recreation services and facilities, and adjust the City Council membership on the Sewerage […]
Overview This BGR release deals with proposed legislation that would require a referendum for approval of the city’s Master Plan. It focuses on three bills, all introduced by New Orleans legislators, that attempt to undermine a charter change approved by New Orleanians seven months ago that clarified and strengthened the planning process in New Orleans.
Overview BGR provides analysis of local propositions as well as amendments to the state constitution appearing on the ballot for November 4, 2008. A proposition in New Orleans would amend the city charter to make comprehensive changes to planning and land use decision making in the city. A proposition in Jefferson Parish would expand the permissible […]
Overview This release calls on the City of New Orleans to conform to charter requirements in producing its capital budget, which is developed by the mayor and reviewed by the New Orleans City Planning Commission and City Council.
Overview On March 2, 2002, Orleans Parish voters will be asked to decide whether the City Charter should be amended to require voter approval of decisions by the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (S&WB) to enter into certain privatization contracts.
Overview With this report BGR provides voters with an analysis of the arguments for and against the proposed charter amendment allowing a third consecutive term for the New Orleans Mayor and provides BGR’s position.
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