Fire Department ordered to review pay practices after audit findings

Concerns over past practices in San Francisco's fire department operations took center stage during a recent government meeting, highlighting potential overpayments and the need for transparency. A representative raised alarms about irregularities in how vacation accrual rates and retirement proration for non-suppression staff have been handled, questioning whether the Board of Supervisors was adequately informed about these decisions.

Controller Ben Rosenfield confirmed that a previous hearing had addressed these issues, noting a commitment to engage in a meet and confer process to implement necessary changes. However, he acknowledged that this process has not been completed, raising concerns about ongoing practices that may not align with current agreements.

The committee chair urged the fire department to review its operations for any additional areas where payments exceed what is stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This call for scrutiny aims to ensure that the Board of Supervisors can address any potential financial discrepancies and foster a more accountable approach to city expenditures.

As discussions continue, the focus remains on ensuring that city operations adhere to established agreements and that any necessary adjustments are made to prevent future overpayments. The outcome of this review could have significant implications for the city's budget and operational integrity.