Small Business Commission adopts fiscal-year priorities amid citywide hiring freeze

The San Francisco Small Business Commission voted to adopt strategic priorities for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 on Feb. 7, 2025, after a public hearing and a commission discussion about city budget direction following a change in administration.

Office of Small Business staff outlined the mayor's directive that departments reduce general fund support by 15% in each of the next two fiscal years and noted a hiring freeze from the new administration. The staff presentation said the Office of Small Business operates as a department and as a division within the Office of Economic and Workforce Development and will coordinate with OEWD divisions to maintain services under constrained resources.

Why it matters: The adopted priorities will guide the office's work and oversight by the commission during a period of projected citywide budget shortfalls and hiring constraints.

Commissioner discussion focused on implementation detail and audience needs. Commissioners asked that staff consider clearer delineation between goals for attracting new businesses, retaining existing businesses and supporting growth across different business life stages. Commissioners also suggested producing a constituent-facing document and an internal work plan that would list concrete tasks under each strategic priority.

Public comment: One speaker, identified as Cali from a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit, urged attention to compliance and tax issues as recurring problems for small businesses and recommended continued support at the information-gathering stage.

Formal action: President Huie moved to adopt the draft resolution to adopt the priorities; Commissioner Benitez seconded. The commission approved the resolution in roll-call vote: Commissioners Benitez, Cornett, Dickerson, Ortiz Cartagena, Vice President Zazunas and President Huie voted yes; Commissioner Herbert was absent. The chair announced: "Motion passes." The adopted resolution formally places the priorities on record for FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 and directs staff to proceed with implementation planning consistent with budget constraints.

The meeting record shows commissioners requested follow-up work including a staff-prepared constituent-facing summary and an internal work plan that breaks priorities into actionable items for different business types and stages.

Ending: The commission asked staff to return with implementation details and recommended outreach materials to explain priorities to small-business constituents.