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Finance staff briefs Fire Commission on mayor's budget instructions, projected deficits and hiring guidance
Summary
Deputy Director Mark Corso outlined the city budget timeline, projected two-year shortfall of roughly $400 million, and mayoral instructions to propose ongoing 3% general-fund reductions each year and no net new positions; commissioners discussed the effect on academies and grants.
Mark Corso, deputy director of planning and finance for the department, presented the city's budget-instruction timeline and higher-level fiscal outlook for FY17'FY19. Corso said departmental budget submissions are due to the mayor and controller on Feb. 21, the mayor will compile the city budget for the Board of Supervisors by June 1, and departmental budget hearings run in June and July.
On the citywide outlook, Corso said the mayor, controller and budget analysts are preparing a five-year financial plan that projects a cumulative deficit of roughly $400 million over the next two years. He said the mayor's instructions require departments to propose ongoing reductions to general-fund support equal to 3% in each year (6% cumulative) and to avoid adding net new positions. "That 3% represents approximately $1,700,000" for the department, Corso said, and the cumulative 6% equals roughly $3.3 million.
Commissioners asked whether the administration's instruction threatened previously approved hiring and training plans for recruit academies and for the EMS H2 classes. Corso and Chief Joanne Hayes White said the mayor's office has indicated commitments to previously approved positions and that recently awarded federal grants could support adding an additional academy in the department's hiring plan, though logistical constraints limit individual class sizes. The commission discussed expanding grant-writing capacity and alternative revenue sources to offset potential cuts.
Next steps: The department reconvened its internal budget committee and planned follow-up meetings with the mayor's budget director. Commissioners asked staff to present capital and IT budget items on the Jan. 11 agenda so the commission could approve those items prior to the Feb. 21 submission date.
