Board approves intent resolution to fund free City College; transfer-tax measure continued to committee

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on July 12 approved a resolution expressing the City’s commitment to restore free tuition for credit classes at City College of San Francisco, and directed work to pursue a dedicated revenue source to pay for it.

Supervisor Jane Kim introduced the measure and described a companion ballot measure that would raise transfer taxes on very high‑value property sales to finance the program. “What we are introducing today … is a resolution evidencing the board’s intent and desire to make higher education free,” Kim said on the floor as she outlined a revenue plan that city staff and advocates estimated could generate about $44 million a year.

The resolution passed on a roll call vote, 10–1, with Supervisor Mark Farrell the lone dissenting vote. Farrell said he supported the concept but worried that committing a new revenue source outside the normal budget process could constrain future city priorities.

Why it matters: Supporters argued that free community college would expand access to workforce training and postsecondary education for local residents, reduce student debt and strengthen middle‑class earning power. Opponents cautioned the Board to weigh the proposal in the context of the city’s broader fiscal picture and long‑term budget risks.

Details and next steps - Sponsor: Supervisor Jane Kim. The companion revenue measure is an ordinance (filed as item 40) to create an additional transfer‑tax tier for properties selling for $5 million and above and a new top tier for sales over $25 million. Kim said the tax, if approved by voters, was expected to generate roughly $44 million/year on average. - Action taken: The supporting resolution (item 39) was adopted (10–1). The related ordinance to raise the transfer tax (item 40) was amended to incorporate technical language from the Assessor‑Recorder and then continued to a Committee of the Whole for July 19 for further drafting and review.

What supporters said Kim framed the proposal as a targeted investment: restoring tuition‑free credit classes at City College and offering a $1,000 scholarship to students who already qualify for existing fee waivers. “This is an investment for the future,” she said. Supervisors Cohen, Mar, Campos, Yee and others voiced strong support in debate, citing City College’s role for immigrants, low‑income students and workforce training.

What critics said Supervisor Farrell said he supported the underlying idea but opposed the timing and structure, urging the Board to weigh any dedicated levy in the context of the entire city budget.

Where the measure goes from here - The funding ordinance (item 40) was continued to the Board’s Committee of the Whole on July 19 for further drafting and public review. City staff said they will work with the Controller, City Attorney and City College leadership to produce implementation language and an accountability vehicle for the revenue.

Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from the meeting transcript of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, July 12, 2016.