In a recent meeting, the San Francisco Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) discussed the pressing need to hire staff to manage the agency's workload, particularly in relation to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and the development of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for community choice energy. The conversation highlighted the urgency of moving forward with this initiative, as the timeline set by the Board of Supervisors for producing the RFP has already lapsed.
Commissioner Wardstein emphasized that while the intention is not to implement community choice energy immediately, the hiring of dedicated staff could streamline the process and ultimately save costs. With a budget of $2.1 million over three years, the commissioners agreed that having full-time personnel to manage contractors and liaise with various city departments would be beneficial.
The discussion also touched on the importance of maintaining a collaborative relationship with the SFPUC. Several commissioners expressed the need for a joint meeting with SFPUC to ensure transparency and commitment to the project. This meeting would serve to reinforce trust and clarify the SFPUC's readiness to allocate resources for the initiative.
Concerns were raised about the financial implications of hiring additional staff, especially given the current economic climate. However, the consensus was that the benefits of having dedicated personnel to oversee community outreach and public engagement would outweigh the costs. The proposed roles include a full-time staff member to assist with public inquiries and outreach efforts related to community choice energy.
As the meeting concluded, the commissioners agreed to schedule a follow-up discussion at the next LAFCO meeting to further explore the hiring process and the potential for a joint meeting with the SFPUC. This proactive approach aims to ensure that the community's energy needs are met efficiently and effectively, reinforcing LAFCO's commitment to serving San Francisco residents.