Ballot Question 2B
A governance question about who sets policy and who runs day-to-day Town operations.
Question 2B asks whether Mountain View's Home Rule Charter should be amended from a Council-Mayor form of government to a Council-Manager form.
Under the proposal, Town Council would appoint a Town Manager responsible for general Town operations, including supervising Town departments and preparing the annual budget for Council approval.
Elected Town Council
Residents continue to elect local representatives. Council remains responsible for legislative and policy decisions and approval of the Town budget.
Professional Town Manager
A Council-appointed Town Manager would oversee general Town operations, supervise Town departments and prepare the annual budget for Council approval.
The Town's February 2026 governance staff report identified several potential benefits associated with changing the governmental structure.
Professional Administration
Places responsibility for general Town operations with a Council-appointed professional manager.
Distributed Authority
The Town report discusses spreading authority and strengthening checks and balances.
Continuity
Professional administration can provide continuity while elected officials establish policy.
Accountability
The Town report identifies transparency and accountability among potential governance benefits.
Potential benefits summarized from the Town of Mountain View's February 2026 governance staff report.
Elected Representation
The proposal retains elected local representation.
Town Boundaries
Question 2B itself does not change Mountain View's municipal boundaries.
Police & Town Services
Question 2B itself does not eliminate the Police Department or other Town services.
Community Identity
The ballot question concerns governance and municipal administration; it does not determine neighborhood identity or community character.
Managing a multimillion-dollar Town operation
The proposed 2027 General Fund provides context for the scale of the financial operation administered by Town government.
How We Got Here
November 2024
Mountain View voters considered an earlier Council-Manager Charter amendment. The proposal did not pass.
January 2026
On January 12, 2026, Council unanimously directed staff to bring a Council-Manager Charter question to voters. Later that meeting, Council voted 5-1 to appoint a Town Administrator.
February 2026
Town staff presented a governance analysis discussing the proposed Charter change and potential governance benefits.
April 2026
After the Town Administrator's three-month review, all six voting Councilmembers agreed to retain the Administrator.
July 2026
Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2026-07-20 B supporting the Council-Manager Charter change and urging voters to approve it.
November 3, 2026
Mountain View voters decide Question 2B.
Mountain View Question 2B
Question 2B asks voters to decide whether Mountain View should amend its Charter to establish a Council-Manager form of government.
Current Town Administration
Mountain View currently employs a Town Administrator. Under the current Home Rule Charter, however, Town departments generally remain under the supervision and control of the Mayor.
Question 2B would make a Council-appointed Town Manager responsible for general Town operations, including supervising Town departments and preparing the annual budget for Council approval.
Read the Town's Governance Analysis
The February 2026 staff report provides background, analysis and discussion of the proposed governance change.
Read the Question. Review the Records.
Review the Town governance analysis, Home Rule Charter, Council records, official ballot information and financial documents related to Question 2B.