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Board directs budget analyst to audit city-owned wireless network; vote 8-3
Summary
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 to direct the budget analyst to conduct a fiscal feasibility analysis of a proposed city-owned wireless network, after a debate over audit priorities and timing.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a motion directing the budget analyst to conduct a fiscal feasibility analysis of a city-owned wireless network, including assessments of affordable access, hardware affordability, community-sensitive training and support, and relevant content for low-income residents. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 8-3.
Supporters said the audit is needed to obtain independent, detailed information before the city proceeds with any contract with private vendors. "We've got to go and get the information ourselves," Supervisor McGoldrick said during debate, arguing that the city had sought but not received sufficient detail from the Department of Telecommunications and Information Services.
Opponents argued the audit should not displace other scheduled work. Supervisor Ma said the budget analyst already follows an annual schedule and that the established priorities include the Department of Public Works and the information-technology audit previously requested by the board. Several supervisors said they were concerned about diverting limited audit resources.
The budget analyst present at the meeting, Mister Rose, told the board the wireless audit could be integrated into existing work. "Our next audit... is the Department of Public Works," he said; he added that the proposed wireless review could be fitted into the citywide information-technology audit "at no additional cost" and would not delay the DPW audit.
The approved audit motion directs the budget analyst to prioritize a fiscal feasibility analysis of a proposed municipal wireless network aimed at promoting digital inclusion by ensuring affordable Internet access, affordable hardware, community-sensitive training and support, and relevant content for low-income and disadvantaged residents. The board did not adopt any contract, policy, or procurement action as part of the vote; the motion requests an analytic report.
Members who spoke urged careful, evidence-based review before committing the city to any contract. Supporters said a municipal service could produce recurring revenue and public benefits; McGoldrick cited a public estimate that a municipal Wi-Fi system might yield as much as $2,000,000 a year to the city as a rough, unverified figure. Opponents stressed audit priorities and that any eventual contract would return to the board for approval.
The board asked the budget analyst to deliver the requested work on a priority basis; the motion notes the analyst's ability to incorporate the task within existing contracts and budgets.
Votes at the roll call were recorded as 8 ayes and 3 noes; the board clerk's roll-call exchange appears in the meeting record.
