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SFPD budget briefing: mayor asks for 8% cuts; department to submit two versions
Summary
CFO Bukowski told the Police Commission the city projects a $229 million deficit and asked departments for an 8% reduction plus a 5% contingency; SFPD will submit both a cut-compliant budget and an alternative showing essential priorities such as academy classes and civilianization.
The San Francisco Police Department told the Police Commission on Dec. 5 that the city is projecting a $229 million shortfall for fiscal 2008-09 and has asked departments for target reductions. Director Bukowski, the department's chief fiscal officer, said SFPD would prepare two submissions: one that conforms to the mayor's 8% reduction request plus a 5% contingency, and a second spreadsheet that lists additional priorities (including academy classes) that the department deems necessary.
Bukowski warned commissioners that roughly 90% of the department's budget is tied to salaries and benefits and that finding $8 million to fund additional academy classes within the existing base would require deep cuts elsewhere. The department is preparing a transparent two-track submission to the mayor's budget office: an "entry" budget already reduced to the mayor's target and a supplemental Form 7 requesting additional funds for priorities.
Commissioners pressed how the cuts could affect community policing, cultural competency training, recruitment and language access. Commissioners suggested the commission may send a letter to the mayor's office describing constraints and urging discussion about the 8% across-the-board approach. Director Bukowski proposed follow-up meetings with commissioners in early January to set priorities.
The chief also reported operational items: four concurrent academy classes are underway, the 220th recruit class of 52 started recently, and the department is continuing civilianization efforts to free sworn officers for street duties. Bukowski also reported the department is exploring short-term cost savings in supply lines and timing of class start dates to manage cash flow.
Next steps: budget priorities discussion to continue in January and the commission will consider sending a formal letter to the mayor if reductions would undermine mandated policing functions.
