Sunnyvale · Charter amendment · Nov 3, 2026
Measure H: City Charter amendment: City Manager's authority to settle claims
Measure H is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot in Sunnyvale. This page summarizes the official documents; every statement links to its source, and we take no position on how you should vote.
The question on your ballot
“Shall Section 1314 of the City Charter be amended to authorize the City Council to adopt an ordinance establishing the maximum amount the City Manager may approve to settle legal claims against the City, instead of the current $50,000 limit established by state law and unchanged since 1989, while retaining City Council approval authority for settlements exceeding the amount set by the ordinance?”A YES vote means
A YES vote amends the Charter so that the Council can adopt an ordinance setting the amount of the City Manager's settlement authority at a different limit than Government Code Section 935.4.
City Attorney's Impartial Analysis of Measure H · Aug 18, 2026
A NO vote means
A NO vote keeps the current rule requiring the City to use the settlement authority limit established by Government Code section 935.4, currently $50,000.
City Attorney's Impartial Analysis of Measure H · Aug 18, 2026
What it takes to pass
This amendment will become effective if a majority of those voting on the measure vote yes.
City Attorney's Impartial Analysis of Measure H · Aug 18, 2026
The money
In August 2026, the City Council adopted an ordinance that will take effect if this measure passes, setting the City Manager's settlement authority at $250,000, the same amount as the City Manager's current authority to approve contracts.
City Attorney's Impartial Analysis of Measure H · Aug 18, 2026
The County Registrar of Voters estimates a cost of $278,987 for the first 6-page measure and $158,857 for each additional 6-page ballot measure on the November 2026 ballot.
Sunnyvale Report to Council 26-0622, June 23, 2026 · Jun 23, 2026
How it got on the ballot
The City Council voted unanimously on June 23, 2026, to place this measure and two other charter amendments on the November ballot.
The official arguments
These are the arguments filed with the county for the official voter guide. They are written by their authors, not by the city or by us. We summarize what each says, not whether it is accurate.
Argument in favor
Says the $50,000 cap from 1989 sends routine claims to the Council, using staff and meeting time. Says an ordinance could set a $250,000 limit matching the City Manager's purchasing authority, with the Council still approving larger settlements.
Read the official documents
Neighbor opinions
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