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Supervisors approve bond package to fund hospitals, clinics, shelters and fire stations amid dispute over animal shelter funding
Summary
The Board approved a general obligation bond and an election ordinance sending a capital package focused on hospital, public health clinics, homeless service sites and neighborhood fire stations to voters, 10–1, after heated debate about last‑minute changes that moved the animal shelter out of the bond.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted on Feb. 9 to place a multi-project general obligation bond and an accompanying ordinance calling a special election on the June 7 ballot, approving the measures on the first reading by a vote of 10–1. Supervisor Aaron Peskin cast the sole no vote, citing concerns about last-minute changes to the capital plan and process.
What passed: The board approved a resolution declaring public interest and necessity for capital projects and an ordinance calling a June 7 election on the bond package. Supporters and city staff said the package includes major allocations for health and safety projects that city leaders consider urgent.
Key project amounts discussed in the hearing included: San Francisco General Hospital upgrades slated for approximately $222 million; Department of Public Health community clinics and centers $50 million (with about $30 million identified for a Southeast Health Clinic); neighborhood fire station and ambulance deployment funding of roughly $58 million; and a $20 million program for city‑owned homeless shelters and service sites (three sites were identified as potential priorities). These figures were stated during committee and board debate by staff and supervisors.
Why the controversy: Several supervisors and capital‑planning staff said project priorities were altered late in the process. Supervisors Peskin and Katy Tang criticized a last‑minute removal of funding for the city’s Animal Care and Control (ACC) shelter from the bond and its routing instead toward certificates of participation (COPs), which staff warned would increase financing costs. Nadia Sisay of the Office of Public Finance and others estimated that moving the shelter to COP financing could add roughly $36 million in interest costs under the assumptions used in staff analysis.
Supporters of the adjusted bond said the changes reflect urgent public‑health and homelessness needs and that many projects in the amended package had undergone planning review. Several supervisors said they would pursue additional measures — including a separate plan to secure funding for a new animal shelter — and pledged to monitor implementation. Supervisor Jane Kim announced a forthcoming motion to amend the capital plan and language to assure ACC funding through a COP or other financing vehicle.
Vote and next steps: The board approved the measures on first reading, 10–1, and directed staff to continue work on financing options (including the ACC plan) and project prioritization. The bond and election ordinance will return for additional hearings and final votes as required before appearing on the June ballot.
