Supervisors approve ordinance granting mayor expedited contracting powers to address fentanyl, homelessness; 10-1

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Jan. 28 approved an amended ordinance that temporarily expands the mayor’s authority to speed contracting and waive certain administrative requirements to address fentanyl overdoses, homelessness and related behavioral-health crises. The measure passed as amended by a 10–1 vote, with Supervisor Shimon Walton casting the lone no vote.

The ordinance, described by supporters as a tool to cut red tape for shelter, treatment and outreach, reauthorizes expedited hiring and allows limited waivers of procurement and “behest of payment” approval processes for a time-limited period. Supporters said the changes are meant to let the city scale up services faster; opponents said the board was approving broad powers without a concrete plan or cost estimate.

Supervisor Chan, who led the budget committee’s work on the item, said the legislation includes amendments to narrow its scope and added guardrails. Chan said the long title and text were edited to limit acceptance and expansion of nongovernmental donations tied to the core initiatives to $10,000,000 and to clarify publication and timing requirements for the ordinance. Chan…