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Fire Department faces cumulative budget cuts as city projects large deficit
Summary
Director Mark Corso told the commission the city faces a projected deficit and asked departments to prepare for 7.5% reductions (about $6M) plus an additional 2.5% contingency; commissioners pressed for clarity on service impacts, revenue options and timelines.
Mark Corso, Deputy Director of Finance and Planning, presented an overview of the San Francisco Fire Department's operating budget and the timeline for departmental and mayoral review. Corso said the city is "looking at over $650,000,000 projected deficit" and that departments have been asked to reduce their general-fund amounts by 7.5% and to propose a 2.5% contingency, which he described as roughly $6 million and an additional $2 million respectively for the department if treated cumulatively.
Corso emphasized that salary and benefits drive about 92% of the department's budget, leaving limited discretionary funds (he referenced roughly $940,000 for capital/facility maintenance). He described budget timing: the department will present a refined proposal on Feb. 10, submit to the mayor's office on Feb. 22, and participate in Board of Supervisors hearings in June. Corso said the department is prioritizing frontline EMS and fire-suppression services, equity initiatives, and continued COVID-response roles, including vaccination operations and the street crisis response team.
Commissioners asked detailed questions about line items (for example, a City College instructor agreement reflected as $300,000), whether requested cuts would be treated cumulatively, and how reductions might affect frontline staffing given Proposition F minimum staffing requirements. Corso and commissioners discussed potential revenue maximization options such as fee reassessments and ambulance-reimbursement changes under state legislation; Corso said staff are reviewing revenue options but noted political and practical constraints for new fees.
Corso warned that cumulative reductions could have significant impacts on frontline services and that the department is working to prioritize core services while exploring offsets. Commissioners asked for a follow-up at the Feb. 10 meeting with more detail on proposed reductions and impacts; Corso agreed to return with further analysis.
