The San Francisco County government meeting held on July 4, 2025, focused on the reallocation of funds to address overtime expenditures across various departments, including the Police, Fire, and Sheriff's departments. The meeting began with an overview of the budget adjustments, specifically reallocating funds towards overtime due to staffing shortages.

The budget chair initiated the discussion by highlighting an amendment to adjust funding sources for police overtime, correcting a calculation error identified by the Budget and Legislative Analyst (BLA). This amendment did not alter the overall budget figures but shifted funds from one area to another.

Catherine Maguire, Executive Director of the Strategic Management Bureau of the San Francisco Police Department, presented the department's current staffing levels, noting a significant shortfall of approximately 600 sworn officers compared to the recommended staffing level of 2,074. She explained that the department is utilizing salary savings to cover overtime costs, emphasizing that no new general fund money is being requested. Maguire reported a decrease in crime rates, including burglaries and auto thefts, attributing this success to the effective use of overtime.

Mark Corso from the Fire Department followed, discussing the necessity of overtime to maintain minimum staffing levels in fire suppression and emergency medical services. He noted that the pandemic had severely impacted hiring capabilities, leading to increased overtime costs. Corso assured that the department is working closely with the Mayor's office to improve staffing levels and manage overtime expenses.

Patrick Leung, CFO of the Sheriff's Office, provided insights into the department's overtime expenditures, highlighting a 15.6% reduction in staffing since fiscal year 2019. He pointed out that mandatory backfill due to reduced hiring has significantly contributed to increased overtime costs. Leung also mentioned the impact of cost-of-living adjustments on the budget.

Mary Ellen Carroll, Director of Emergency Management, concluded the presentations by addressing staffing challenges within the dispatcher classes, which have resulted in lower-than-expected candidate numbers and high attrition rates.

The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges faced by San Francisco County departments in managing overtime costs amid staffing shortages, with each department outlining their strategies to address these issues. The discussions set the stage for further inquiries and potential follow-up actions as the county continues to navigate its budgetary constraints.