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Board Unanimously Adopts DBI Budget Despite Projection of $37 Million Shortfall
Summary
The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Department of Building Inspection proposed budgets for FY21-22 and FY22-23. DBI projected revenues of $51.1 million against expenditures of $88.7 million and said it would need about $37 million in fund balance to balance the plan; commissioners pressed for scrutiny of rising interdepartmental work orders.
San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) proposed budgets for fiscal years 2021–22 and 2022–23 after extended discussion about a projected structural shortfall and rapidly growing interdepartmental work‑order costs.
Deputy Director Taras Maddison told the commission DBI is a special‑fund department supported by fees. The department projects roughly $51.1 million in revenues for the proposed period and total expenditures of about $88.7 million. Maddison said salaries and fringe benefits account for roughly $52 million of the budget and that, under current assumptions, the department would need approximately $37 million in fund balance to balance the plan.
Maddison outlined that inspection services provide about 56% of DBI revenues, permit services about 36% and administration about 8%. She said revenues had been declining over several years and the COVID‑era revenue loss accelerated that trend. On expenditures, she said professional services contracts and work orders are significant non‑salary costs.
Commissioners pressed DBI on the growth in work orders, which Maddison said rose from about $11.7 million in FY2015–16 to roughly $30.7 million in 2019 and remain elevated. Maddison explained that some work orders grew because more staff are funded through those interdepartmental charges and because new work orders (for example, data and permit‑center projects, fire department services and assessor services) have been added over time.
Commissioner Alexander Toot asked whether any COVID‑related expenses in the materials and supplies or inspection lines were FEMA‑reimbursable. Maddison said DBI tracks such expenses in quarterly reports submitted to the controller’s office but has not yet received reimbursements and offered to follow up after the next submission.
Several commissioners said they were concerned the $37 million projected shortfall is not sustainable and urged closer vetting of work orders as a primary place to find savings. Maddison said DBI expects to work with the mayor’s office and other departments on finalizing work‑order amounts through March–May, ahead of the mayor’s submission of a citywide budget to the board in June.
A motion to approve the DBI proposed budget was moved by Commissioner Alexander Toot and seconded by Vice President Sam Moss. The board adopted the budget on a unanimous roll‑call vote. Maddison said DBI will continue to monitor revenues, submit required certifications by Aug. 31 and return with updates as the mayor’s office finalizes citywide projections.
Next steps: DBI will submit the budget to the mayor’s budget office on Feb. 22, work with the mayor’s office through May to finalize numbers, and present to the Board of Supervisors as part of the citywide process ahead of the July 30 adoption deadline.
