SFPD CFO outlines hiring plan and budget timeline as city forecasts $64 million shortfall

Ken Bukowski, introduced to the Police Commission as the department's new chief financial officer, presented a high-level status report on preparing the San Francisco Police Department's 2007'08 budget and a timeline for commission review. Bukowski said the SFPD's budget is roughly $365 million, with about $33.7 million tied to airport operations and about 87% of expenditures in salary and fringe benefits. He characterized the department's capital budget as minimal (roughly $400,000) and said about 54% of the operating budget is devoted to patrol or field operations.

Bukowski told commissioners the mayor's budget office is projecting a citywide $64 million shortfall for the coming year and that all general-fund departments were asked to prepare plans assuming a 3% reduction in general-fund support; for the police department that 3% target amounts to roughly $2.5 million. He said the number came from the mayor's office and that, given the department's multi-year hiring plan and other commitments, he did not expect the reductions to hold exactly as requested.

The chief financial officer proposed the following schedule: present a detailed draft to the commission on Jan. 24, allow two weeks for review, return for questions Feb. 7, and seek final commission action on Feb. 14 so the department can submit its budget to the mayor's office by Feb. 21. Bukowski said the mayor's office and controller will continue negotiations through March to mid-May and the mayor's proposed budget is expected to reach the Board of Supervisors in June.

Commissioners pressed Bukowski on a range of issues. Commissioner Theresa Sparks asked for variance reporting and an update on a supplemental funding request from earlier in the year; Bukowski said staff would prepare a six-month variance report and return in approximately two weeks. Commissioner David Campos emphasized transparency about any mayoral cuts and urged clear delineation of recommendations from the chief versus changes made in the mayor's office. Commissioners also asked about capital needs, vehicle and radio replacement, the cost of forensic equipment, and how district boundary changes could affect station-level capital requirements.

Bukowski and commissioners discussed staffing priorities, including continuation of a multi-year hiring plan meant to add 600'700 officers over three years, and civilianization plans that remain under review. The commission asked that Bukowski provide more detailed materials when the draft is posted so the public and board members can follow the process; he said the department would post materials on the commission website when available.

Next steps: the commission is scheduled to receive the detailed draft on Jan. 24, with follow-up review and approval milestones in February and a final submission to the mayor's budget office on Feb. 21.