The City of San Francisco held a government meeting on July 4, 2025, focusing on the budget and funding allocations for the upcoming fiscal year. Key discussions centered around the Community-Based Organization (CBO) funding and the ongoing fee study related to city permits.

The meeting began with inquiries about the CBO funding, specifically the $4.8 million allocated for fiscal year 2024. It was clarified that this funding comes from the general fund and is not part of the fee study, which has its own separate funding sources. Officials noted that there is no immediate need to increase fees to cover this funding, as it is already secured.

A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the fee study, which is still in progress. Questions were raised regarding the impact of previously waived permitting fees on the fee study's outcomes. Officials expressed optimism that the waived fees, which total tens of thousands of dollars, would be manageable within the overall budget, suggesting that the costs could be absorbed without significant negative impact.

The conversation also highlighted discrepancies in current fee structures, particularly concerning inspection fees. It was noted that inspection fees are undercharged compared to plan check fees, leading to a recommendation for adjustments. Inspectors face more overhead and less productive time, which contributes to the need for higher inspection fees. The officials indicated that while some fees would see increases, efforts would be made to smooth out the adjustments to avoid overwhelming increases for residents and businesses.

Commissioner Summer acknowledged the importance of these discussions, especially for new commissioners, and emphasized the need for clarity in public discussions regarding the budget.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to managing its budget effectively while addressing the financial realities of permit fees and funding allocations. Further reports on the fee study and its implications are anticipated in the coming months.