Commission approves Department of Environment budget and authorizes letter urging more climate funding

The San Francisco Commission on the Environment approved the Department of the Environment’s recommended operating budget submission and, by separate unanimous vote, authorized the president to transmit a letter summarizing public concerns and urging additional funding for climate and environmental justice work.

Fiscal manager Joe Salem presented the draft budget and explained the distinction between the department’s Annual Appropriation Ordinance (AAO) request and its operating budget. He told commissioners: "The city is currently projecting a $653,000,000 deficit over the next 2 fiscal years," and outlined how that projection has led to general-fund reduction targets and pressure across departments. Salem also noted a large variance between the AAO submission (about $464,000 in new AAO requests) and the department’s anticipated operating revenues (roughly $6,000,000 in grant revenue in FY21–22).

Public comment during the budget item was lengthy and largely focused on the department’s constrained funding for climate and environmental-justice programs. Dozens of callers urged the commission to delay approval until additional funding can be secured or, at minimum, to send a strong message to the Mayor’s Office and Board of Supervisors about the insufficiency of current resources for a declared climate emergency. Several callers asked staff to produce a study estimating what it would cost to fund the Department at a level consistent with an expedited 2030 climate timeline.

Commissioners asked staff how the public could influence budget outcomes and whether the Department had alternative revenue options beyond the general fund. Director Deborah Raphael said staff are exploring mechanisms such as climate fees, price-on-carbon models, and partnership-supported studies but noted legal and resource constraints and the need for outside assistance to evaluate options.

To address public concerns, Commissioner Wald moved (and the Commission approved) an auxiliary motion authorizing President Stevenson to transmit a letter to the Mayor’s budget office summarizing caller concerns and urging stronger financial support for climate and environmental justice work. The Commission then voted to approve the budget recommendation forwarded by the Operations Committee. Both votes were unanimous by roll call.

The Department will continue work to balance its operating budget before the February 22 AAO submission deadline and pursue grants and partnership revenue where appropriate. Staff also committed to further work on an analysis of revenue options and to follow up on community requests for a study of full funding requirements for an accelerated climate timetable.