Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ethics Commission Budget Audit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
San Francisco Ethics Commission hears BLA audit, flags staffing shortfalls and delays to Form 700 e‑filing
Summary
At an Aug. 14 remote meeting the Ethics Commission reviewed the Budget and Legislative Analyst—s performance audit, unanimously approved revisions to its draft annual report for final adoption in September, and discussed mayoral budget proposals that delay key hires until Jan. 2021 and push the Form 700 e‑filing launch back a year.
The San Francisco Ethics Commission on Aug. 14 heard a presentation of a Budget and Legislative Analyst (BLA) performance audit that recommended the commission formalize metrics, increase staffing, and expand training and audit programs — recommendations staff said they support but cannot fully implement until new hires and funding are secured.
Executive Director Pelham told the commission the 82‑page audit gives "real clarity and real insights" and that her office "very strongly support[s] this recommendation" to expedite hiring and improve performance tracking. Pelham and Enforcement Director Jeff Pierce outlined 16 recommendations that include filling vacant audit and investigator supervisory posts, standardizing performance metrics, developing an audit manual and training program, and creating a lobbying audit by FY21.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the recommendations arrive amid a high public demand for accountability and while the department faces pandemic‑era staffing constraints. Several commissioners warned that delayed hires will hamper the commission—s ability to speed investigations, conduct Form 700 compliance reviews, and implement the BLA timetable.
Staffing and budget implications Stephen Massey, acting chief operating officer, presented the mayor—s proposed budget summary. The proposal restores some positions but staggers their effective dates: several positions (audit supervisor, policy analyst, an e‑filing customer support specialist and an IS engineer) are authorized but not funded to begin work until Jan. 1, 2021. Massey said the mayor—s proposal results in roughly a 3% operating cut for FY2021 relative to FY2020 and increases an attrition savings target that could require leaving positions vacant to meet savings goals.
Pierce characterized the practical impact on investigations: despite recent productivity — "we've opened 20 new investigations but resolved 48 investigations" — the division lacks supervisory capacity and faces tradeoffs between election‑cycle public financing work and regular audit/enforcement duties. Commissioners repeatedly pressed staff on whether the BLA report will help secure funding from the Board of Supervisors; staff said the audit provides a road map but that implementation depends on available resources and the outcome of budget negotiations.
Form 700 e‑filing and project delays Massey and staff explained that the Form 700 electronic‑filing rollout depends on a dedicated customer support position and an information systems engineer that were funded previously by the Committee on Information Technology but eliminated in the interim budget; the mayor—s proposal would reinstate those roles only as half‑time positions effective Jan. 1, 2021. Staff said non‑personnel funding (licenses) exists but that the project cannot proceed at scale without the staff needed to create filer accounts and provide customer support. Commissioners urged exploring pilot rollouts for high‑priority departments and cost‑sharing arrangements with enterprise departments (Airport, PUC) that currently pay for paper filing administration.
Whistleblower reporting and public requests During public comment, caller Dr. Derek Kerr urged the commission to disclose outcomes for whistleblower retaliation investigations in the annual report, saying the draft table "doesn't state how many cases were sustained" and asserting the commission had "never sustained a whistleblower retaliation claim". Staff responded that commissioners already receive summaries of case outcomes and that they will seek ways to make more outcome information publicly available within charter confidentiality limits. Pierce noted the BLA recommendations to shorten timelines and to build specialized whistleblower training, and said the office will evaluate prioritization and reporting changes.
Actions and next steps - The commission unanimously approved consent calendar items 3–4 (draft minutes and a proposed stipulation/decision) by a 5–0 roll call (Commissioners Busch/Bush, Chiu, Lee, Smith, Chair Ambrose voted yes). - Commissioners moved, seconded, and voted unanimously (5–0) to adopt the motion to incorporate commissioners— edits, append the BLA report and partner agency statements, and return the draft annual report in September for final adoption.
Pelham said staff will meet with the mayor—s budget office and pursue follow‑up with the Board of Supervisors and Budget & Appropriations Committee. Key near‑term dates staff cited: the commission plans to return the revised annual report for final action in September and staffing additions tied to the mayor's proposal would be effective Jan. 1, 2021 if approved.
The commission adjourned and will reconvene in September to consider the revised annual report, a policy‑prioritization plan, and further updates on budget negotiations and implementation of the BLA audit.
