The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors took a significant step towards possible expansion as part of a reform package aimed at overhauling the governance structure of LA County. Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Janice Hahn advocated for changes that would expand the Board of Supervisors from five members to nine, introduce an elected countywide executive position, and establish an independent panel specifically created to enforce ethical regulations and combat corruption.
This push for reform argues against the board’s current size as inadequate for managing the vast array of services required for nearly 10 million residents, a population surpassing that of many states in the U.S. Each supervisor currently represents roughly two million constituents, leading to concerns about effective representation and oversight.
Expansion plans gained traction with hopes of placing as a measure on the November ballot for voter approval. The proposed implementation of these reforms signifies a long-term commitment; the creation of an independent ethics commission aims for completion by 2026, with the election of a county executive expected by 2028, and the board’s expansion slated for 2032 following the results of the 2030 census. Importantly, the plan is designed to be cost-neutral, assuring the public that these changes will not result in new taxes.
If this proposal passes, it will fundamentally alter the way local government operates by separating the executive and legislative branches and establishing an elected official akin to a mayor, alongside an expanded Board of Supervisors functioning much like a City Council. Supervisors Horvath, Hahn, and Hilda Solis have expressed the need to expand the board to ensure that residents’ voices are adequately represented at a time when the county faces complex governance challenges.
“The time for change is now, and it is time to put this decision in the hands of the voters. Only they hold the power to answer whether they want a Los Angeles County government that adapts to keep up with the times, or a government from 1912 when there were more cows than people,” said Horvath.
“Since we unveiled this reform package, I have heard an overwhelming amount of support from people for this effort,” said Hahn, 4th District. “People are hungry for change, and they see how these reforms will make L.A. County government more representative, accessible, transparent, and responsive to their needs and concerns. These are big changes for the county, but they are not radical, and people I talk to are telling me they are long overdue.”
Despite the support for reform, the proposal was not without contention. During discussions, Supervisor Holly Mitchell raised valid concerns regarding whether the reforms had been sufficiently vetted, particularly questioning the rationale for increasing the board’s size to nine members and the cost to taxpayers.
“I don’t see how we pay for that,” Mitchell said. “I am very uncomfortable with the notion that it is being billed as cost neutral.”
Both Supervisors Horvath and Hahn have assured the public that this reform will not require additional taxes, emphasizing a focus on improved governance without increased financial burdens for taxpayers.
Additionally, the proposal outlines measures for ongoing accountability and improvement, including a commission to review the county charter every decade and annual budget hearings to enhance transparency.
Past attempts to expand the Board of Supervisors have failed, with eight previous propositions rejected by voters. Yet, discussions are ongoing, setting the stage for more detailed legislative discussions that could redefine political accountability in LA County.