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Mayor's proposed budget would boost Ethics Commission funding for three-year "Ethics at Work" initiative
Summary
The mayor's proposed budget recommends roughly $6.5 million for the San Francisco Ethics Commission, a roughly 23% increase over current operating levels, to add investigators and hire a three-year "Ethics at Work" outreach and training team intended to strengthen ethics compliance across city departments.
The San Francisco Ethics Commission on June 11 heard details of the mayor—recommended budget that would raise the commission—operating budget to about $6,500,000 and expand staff from roughly 25 to 33 positions to support a new Ethics at Work initiative.
Director Pelham told commissioners the mayor's budget recommendation would fund a three-year, limited-term outreach and training program and add investigative capacity. "We have really very, very positive news to report in our budget report this morning," Pelham said, adding the proposal would fund four outreach and training specialists, three investigative positions and a program performance and reporting analyst to improve data-driven operations.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the package, if approved by the Board of Supervisors, would be the first sustained investment in the commission's ambitions to shift workplace culture across the city's 30,000 employees. Pelham said the increase is intended to support proactive training and better case management rather than simply expanding enforcement paperwork.
Key figures and timeline: Pelham described the mayor's recommended FY22 budget as roughly a 23% increase, with staffing rising from about 25 to 33 (a net increase of eight positions). The outreach team would be funded on exempt, limited three-year terms; Pelham said city budgeting practice means funding for new seats typically becomes available at the fiscal-year 0.77 funding point (roughly September/October), and the commission expects to post jobs as soon as the budget is finalized so hires can be placed once funds are available.
Commissioner Chiu and others pressed for measurable outcomes and baseline metrics to allow the commission to demonstrate program impact over the three-year window. "It will be important to have as many metrics as possible to measure the impact of the program and the work that we do so that we can have a baseline," Chiu said. Commissioners also urged the staff to prioritize hiring and posting timelines given the limited three-year funding horizon.
Operational details: Pelham said the proposal also includes resources for a case-management system and for a program performance analyst to help track indicators such as trainings delivered, audiences reached and results of audits. Commissioners recommended focusing training and outreach on high-risk groups first (for example, building inspectors) and building interagency working groups so the commission's training is amplified by department leadership.
Next steps: The mayor's proposed budget is subject to Board of Supervisors hearings; Pelham said ethics staff will appear before budget committees in the coming weeks to answer questions and advocate for the full package. If the Board approves the funding, staff intend to post positions promptly and begin hiring as funds are encumbered.
