Alameda City Council Set to Double No-Vote Contract Limit

Alameda's city manager, city attorney and city clerk could soon sign contracts worth up to $150,000 without a City Council vote, double today's $75,000 limit. The Alameda City Council takes its final vote on the change Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026.

• What changes: The no-vote contract limit for the city manager, city attorney and city clerk goes from $75,000 to $150,000.
• Who else: Limits for department heads, the assistant city manager, division managers and supervisors double too.
• How many contracts: About 20 a year fall between $75,000 and $150,000. They'd stop coming to council.
• Final vote: Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m., City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, item 5-K on the consent calendar.
• When it starts: 30 days after final passage.

How much can Alameda's city manager spend without a council vote?

Right now it's $75,000, and it hasn't moved since 1990. Under the new rule it'd be $150,000.

The council introduced the ordinance on Oct. 20. On Nov. 4 it's back as a consent item, the part of the agenda that passes in one vote unless someone pulls it for discussion.

Here's the full ladder, from the city's Oct. 20 staff report on contract limits:

• City manager, city attorney, city clerk: $75,000 to $150,000
• Assistant city manager and department heads: $25,000 to $50,000
• Division managers: $10,000 to $20,000
• Supervisors: $5,000 to $10,000

The city manager and city attorney would also be able to settle legal claims, including workers' comp cases, up to $150,000 without the council. That's up from $75,000 too.

Why does the city want a higher limit?

Inflation, mostly. The staff report says Bay Area prices are up about 170% since 1990. A $75,000 limit back then works out to roughly $203,000 today.

Staff says those 20 or so contracts a year each need a written report and a spot on a council agenda, which slows projects down. Finance Director Ross McCarthy's team pointed to nearby cities: Fremont, Dublin, Concord and San Leandro use $100,000, Walnut Creek uses $85,000, and Livermore and Pleasanton go up to $200,000.

What does this mean for Alameda residents?

You'd see fewer contracts on council agendas. Deals between $75,000 and $150,000 would get signed by staff rather than voted on in public. Competitive bidding rules don't change, and anything over $150,000 still needs a council vote. The city says the change itself costs nothing.

If you want to weigh in, you can speak at the Nov. 4 meeting or email the council before it starts. For more on city decisions like this one, see our Alameda City Council news, including the economic development plan contract that went to council on Oct. 20.