Voters in the city of San Diego will decide this fall whether to boost the power of the San Diego Ethics Commission when they consider Measure D, which would strengthen the watchdog panel in several ways. What would Measure D do? If approved by a simple majority of voters, Measure D would amend the city charter to bar elected leaders from eliminating the commission, require it receive adequate funding and change who appoints its top official. Instead of the current practice of the commission’s executive director being chosen by elected leaders, Measure D would shift that power to members of the commission. Measure D would also make members of the commission responsible for setting the commission’s rules and policies for who gets investigated and how. Under the current setup, the commission must get City Council approval to change its rules and policies. Measure D would also commit the city to providing the commission with sufficient resources to perform its responsibilities, including money for independent legal counsel. Why is this on the ballot? The proposed reforms come in response to criticisms that the commission, while a well-intentioned watchdog panel, hasn’t lived up to the expectations supporters had when it was created in 2001. Led by City Attorney Mara Elliott, supporters say Measure D would help the commission get closer to being truly independent of the elected officials it is charged with overseeing. Who supports it, and why? The City Council voted unanimously in July to place Measure D on the ballot, after Elliott proposed a broad package of reforms to boost the commission. “It’s time to bolster their independence and better define their role,” Elliott said in an interview with The San Diego Union-Tribune earlier this year. “This measure will bolster the commission’s ability to hold accountable those it regulates, protecting the interests of the city and its residents,” Councilmember Joe LaCava said in the ballot argument supporting Measure D. “To maintain the public’s confidence and ensure the commission’s independence, the charter must be changed to empower our city’s ethics watchdog.” Members of the commission have also embraced the proposed changes. “The commission believes the charter amendments will increase the commission’s independence, better align with the best practices of ethics commissions across the state and help to achieve the commission’s goal of building public confidence through its work,” Sharon Spivak, its executive director, told the Union-Tribune. Who opposes it, and why? There is no formal opposition to Measure D and no ballot argument against it will appear on the ballot. In a fiscal analysis, the city’s independent budget analyst estimated Measure D would only raise the commission’s annual budget, which has been about $1.8 million, by roughly $65,000. That doesn’t include costs for additional outside legal counsel. The IBA says the commission is expected to need such counsel rarely, such as when there are conflicts of interest or a need for specific expertise. Where can I read more? Boost in power for San Diego Ethics Commission heading to November ballot More independence, sharper teeth: Elliott’s ethics plan would overhaul how campaign, lobbying rules are enforced