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Board approves Bloomberg-funded innovation office despite concerns over long-term costs and timing
Summary
On Nov. 16, 2021, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 8–2 to authorize a Bloomberg Philanthropies grant to establish an innovation office in the mayor's office. Supervisors raised questions about the city match, permanence of positions and timing amid recent political endorsements.
SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Nov. 16 approved an ordinance to accept an approximately $3.4 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies and to add five grant-funded positions across the mayor’s office and city administrator’s offices, voting 8–2 on first reading.
The ordinance authorizes the mayor’s office to accept the competitive Bloomberg grant and amends the annual salary ordinance to create one mayoral staff position and four digital-services positions funded through the grant for the period Oct. 1, 2021, through Aug. 31, 2024. Nick Menard of the Budget and Legislative Analyst told the board the grant requires matching funds of $1,100,000 and that the BLA’s report notes the four technical positions are permanent and “will ultimately be a general fund cost.”
Why it matters: Supervisors said the grant could help coordinate cross-departmental digital and permitting projects that…
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