Public Works warns 15% general‑fund cut would slow street cleaning, cost 20 positions

San Francisco — San Francisco Public Works officials said Thursday that the department’s proposed operating budget for fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27 faces deep cuts that would slow street cleaning and reduce frontline staff.

"We face steep budget cuts that if implemented will have significant impacts on our operations. Most notably street cleaning," said Carla Short, director of public works, as she opened the department’s budget briefing to the Public Works Commission and the Sanitation and Streets Commission on Jan. 23 at City Hall.

The department’s chief financial officer and deputy director, Bruce Robertson, told commissioners the mayor’s instruction to reduce general‑fund spending by 15% translates to about $13.8 million for Public Works. "A 15% reduction for public works equates to about $13,800,000," Robertson said. He added the planned expiration on June 30 of a two‑year supplemental appropriation for enhanced street cleaning increases the loss of capacity: "So what that means is we'll lose 20 FTE." Robertson also said the department’s operating budget is roughly $452.9 million in the current year but that total spending—when including bonds and interdepartmental work—approaches $1.5 billion annually.

Why it matters: Public Works carries primary responsibility for cleaning rights‑of‑way, mechanical sweeping, some sidewalk and steam cleaning, illegal‑vending enforcement and…