Board of Supervisors adopts $7.9 billion two‑year budget, restores HIV services and boosts housing and workforce funds

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors adopted a two-year budget for fiscal years 2013'14 and 2014'15 on a unanimous roll call, approving a package of ordinances and resolutions that Supervisor Farrell described as a $7.9 billion plan.

The package funds city departments and programs across two years and includes specific additions that supervisors highlighted in remarks before the vote: restored funding for federally cut HIV/AIDS services, $2 million for workforce training, $2 million for direct youth services, additional police and fire academy classes, new gardeners for city parks, and increased reserves. Supervisor Farrell said the changes reflected input from multiple town halls and the board's budget process: "I am excited to be here, today, with my budget and finance committee colleagues and the rest of you to have our 2 year budget in front of us," he said.

The board took up items 12 through 16 (the central budget ordinances) alongside related budget committee measures (items 20 through 37, with item 31 held for separate consideration). Item 12 was the proposed annual appropriation ordinance; item 13 enumerated positions and salary items; item 14 approved the Treasure Island Development Authority budget; item 15 approved the Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure budget and authorized bonds up to $58,600,000 to finance enforceable obligations; and item 16 concurred with the controller's certification allowing certain services to be performed by private contractors. The clerk called the roll on the consolidated package; the clerk recorded 11 ayes and the measures passed on first reading.

Why it matters: supervisors said the package attempts to both protect core services and invest in priorities the board and community identified during hearings. Several supervisors emphasized protecting vulnerable residents and neighborhood needs, and noted the budget uses a mix of city revenue and voter-approved funds to advance affordable housing goals. "This budget advances the cause of support services for HIV AIDS patients and people living with HIV AIDS," Supervisor Avalos said during the discussion.

Key allocations and program details mentioned during debate - HIV/AIDS services: full restoration of federal cuts (amount not specified in the meeting). - Recreation and parks: new neighborhood park clubhouses in every supervisorial district. - Workforce and youth: $2,000,000 for workforce training; $2,000,000 in direct youth services. - Public safety training: three police academy classes and two fire academy classes planned. - Housing: uses funds from Prop C for affordable housing, with allocations for down-payment assistance, foreclosure protection, tenant services and new construction (amounts for each program not specified in the hearing). - Reserves: an increase in budget reserves to prepare for future downturns (amount not specified).

Votes at a glance (budget package and related votes) - Items 12'16 (annual appropriation and related budget ordinances): approved on first reading, roll call 11-0. - Items 21'37 (budget-related ordinances and resolutions as called by the clerk, except item 31): approved on first reading, roll call 11-0. - Items 20 and 31 (botanical garden / arboretum fee and related park code changes): considered separately; recorded vote 8 ayes, 3 noes (see separate item in this article package).

Other budget-related items taken the same day include resolutions authorizing department fee changes, grant acceptance, and departmental expenditure plans; supervisors said many of those technical items were vetted in committee and called for the consolidated roll call. Several supervisors publicly thanked the mayor's budget office, the controller's staff, the budget analysts and committee staff for the process that led to the final package.

Ending: The board passed the measures on first reading; several items will return for required follow-up readings or administrative steps. Supervisors said they would continue oversight on implementation and thanked community groups and department staff for input during the budget process.