Board approves sheriff’s office contract increase with Pretrial Diversion Program amid concerns about audits and outcomes

The Board of Supervisors on Jan. 30 authorized the sheriff’s office to increase its contract with the San Francisco Pretrial Diversion Project, bringing the total contract amount to about $19.8 million and extending the term through June 30, 2024, with two one‑year extension options.

Supervisor Chan urged colleagues to approve the amendment while noting reservations and flagged the absence of recent audited financial statements and a lack of up‑to‑date performance audits. “This item came out of budget without recommendation… I do urge you to support it, approve it, but it is not without concerns and reservation,” Chan said.

Supervisor Stephanie said she would vote against the amendment because she remains unconvinced the nonprofit’s performance reporting is reliable and its finances sufficiently transparent. “I will not be voting in support of this contract amendment today,” she said, citing earlier studies that questioned some of the contractor’s reported outcomes and a lack of recent audited financial records.

Supporters said the city currently lacked an alternative to provide the pretrial services and that continued funding was necessary while more robust oversight and audits are completed; the contractor indicated audits for fiscal years 2021 and 2022 were expected to be submitted soon.

The board approved the resolution 9–2. The final roll call recorded supervisors Preston, Ronan, Safaí, Walton, Chan, Engadio, Mandelmann, Melgar and Peskin voting yes; Supervisors Stephanie and Dorsey voted no. Members said they expect follow‑up audits and additional oversight by the budget and legislative analyst and the sheriff’s office in the coming months.