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Board advances budget package with restorations, technical adjustments and contingency reporting rule
Summary
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved the city's fiscal 2010—1 budget package, adding restorations for health and youth programs and adopting a new controller-reporting process that requires the mayor and the board to respond if updated revenue estimates create a mid-year shortfall.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved the city's fiscal 2010—11 budget package late Tuesday, adopting a set of restorations to human services and adding language that requires the controller to monitor revenue and notify the mayor and board if updated estimates create a shortfall.
The board approved technical adjustments presented by the mayor's budget office that add roughly $7.8 million in revenue and a second technical adjustment of about $6.8 million that folds a pending supplemental appropriation into the main budget. Greg Wagner, the mayor's budget director, told the board the adjustments were intended to restore programs in the Department of Public Health, youth services, workforce development and public financing of elections.
Why it matters: Supervisors and department directors said the restorations preserve public health and safety programs that city leaders had identified as priorities during months of deficit work. The board also approved a new procedural safeguard in the Annual Appropriation Ordinance: the controller will monitor updated local, state and federal revenue and issue a report if projected losses exceed the general reserve. If that happens the mayor must submit a plan within 30 calendar days and the board will hold hearings before cuts below current spending levels take effect.
Most consequential restorations: The board and mayor agreed to restore funding for mental health, substance abuse and HIV/AIDS contracts at the Department of Public Health; supervisors said those restorations return the agency to roughly last year's funding level. The budget also restores services for seniors, and adds money for children, youth and family programs after hearings by the budget committee.
Controller and mayor's office roles: Monique Smuda of the controller's office testified about baseline amounts used to calculate a housing fund baseline and explained mechanics of the controller's adjustments. Greg Wagner described the technical adjustments as an agreement between the administration and board to pursue property and other revenue actions that make the restorations possible.
A new contingency process: The ordinance language adopted directs the controller to issue a report after the state budget or as needed estimating updated revenue impact on the general fund. If estimated losses exceed the general reserve and other allowances, the mayor must issue a plan within 30 days; proposed reductions below current spending cannot take effect for 30 days to permit board review and hearings. The board may adopt the mayor's plan, adopt alternatives, or take no action.
Board reaction and next steps: Budget Chair Supervisor John Avalos and members of the budget committee described the outcome as the product of lengthy negotiations with the mayor's office, the controller and advocates. Several supervisors thanked budget staff, the controller's and mayor's teams and community groups for extensive engagement. The board approved the technical adjustments and the AAO reporting language in roll call votes.
What the action does not do: Supervisors cautioned that the budget depends on uncertain state and federal funds and on property transfer tax receipts; the new reporting step does not create new revenues but requires a process to respond if revenues fall short.
Looking ahead: Supervisors said the budget provides time to pursue additional revenue measures and structural reforms during the coming fiscal year. The controller's monitoring requirement will create a public trigger that will force mayor and board discussions if revenue projections deteriorate.
"Our intent is to move forward with these programs and carry them out," said Greg Wagner, the mayor's budget director, underscoring the administration's commitment to the restorations while acknowledging continued economic uncertainty.
Ending note: With the AAO corrective language and technical adjustments in place, the board left open the ability to reevaluate if state or federal conditions change, while restoring funding most supervisors described as critical to public health and youth services.
