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Free City College set‑aside debated, amended and continued to Dec. 11
Summary
Supervisors debated a charter amendment to set aside $15 million annually for a Free City College program. After amendments and a failed amendment on reporting requirements, the item was continued to Dec. 11 for further refinement.
A proposal to place a charter amendment before voters that would set aside $15 million a year for a Free City College program dominated discussion on Dec. 4, with supervisors debating duration, reporting requirements and program oversight.
Supervisor Kim, the ordinance’s author, said the amendment would establish a 10‑year $15 million annual set‑aside to guarantee funding for free community college tuition and a stipend for eligible San Francisco residents. “This proposal will set aside $15,000,000 annually to fund the Free City program, which aims to provide stability and security to the successful pilot program,” Kim said.
Debate focused on the length of the set‑aside and oversight. Supervisor Yee had proposed a 20‑year window but Kim and others moved to restore a 10‑year duration with a provision permitting the Board of Supervisors, by a two‑thirds vote after an audit in year five, to adjust the baseline contribution if state or federal changes made local funding redundant.
Supervisor Stephanie offered an amendment to require binding annual reporting requirements by ordinance and to allow suspension of contributions if City College failed to produce reports; that amendment was defeated by roll call (3 ayes, 7 noes). Kim said she opposed linking funding suspension to reporting because the charter set‑aside’s purpose is to guarantee stable funding and that reporting and oversight can be handled by subsequent ordinance and an oversight body.
After further technical changes and a clerical amendment to the audit year, Supervisor Kim moved to continue the item; the board accepted a motion to continue the file to Dec. 11 as amended.
Ending: The charter amendment was amended and continued to Dec. 11 for further work on reporting, oversight and MOU details between the city and City College.
