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DBI projects small year‑end deficit; MOUs with PUC, Port and Transbay could offset shortfall
Summary
DBI reported a projected year‑end deficit of $402,000 but flagged potential offsets from new fees and four MOUs (PUC, Port, Treasure Island, Transbay). The commission was briefed on implementing the vacant building ordinance and a new $52 monthly monitoring fee.
Pamela Levitt, Financial Services Manager for the Department of Building Inspection, briefed the Building Inspection Commission on department finances through August 2009 and on pending legislation and MOUs.
Levitt said the department projects a year‑end deficit of $402,000—about 1% of the budget—based on two months of actuals, but identified potential offsets. “Right now we're projecting a year end deficit of $402,000,” she said, and noted a projected revenue increase of about $580,000 tied to new fees on one- and two‑family rental units. Levitt also cited an expected shortfall of $33,000 from a hotel-conversion ordinance and a $152,000 shortfall in charges-for-service driven by lower activity in August relative to a strong prior-year period.
Levitt said refunds are material to the department’s cash flow: the department refunded about $1.3 million last year and currently had roughly $500,000 ready to go to the controller for issuance. Year-to-date revenue through August was about 29% below the same period last year while year-to-date expenditures were about 19% lower.
Separately, staff briefed the commission that four MOUs (with the Public Utilities Commission, the Port, Treasure Island project partners, and the Transbay Joint Powers Authority) have been introduced to the Board of Supervisors; timing and amounts are uncertain and will be folded into the budget when projects come in. The commission was also told that the vacant building ordinance and the monthly $52 monitoring fee for code‑enforcement cases will take effect next month, and staff is preparing outreach and implementation work.
Commissioners asked for follow-up details, including a spreadsheet of outstanding litigation awards and a clearer projection of recoveries from work performed for other departments. Staff said they are coordinating with the city attorney and other departments to improve recoveries and will continue to refine projections as more data becomes available.
DBI staff also previewed an interdepartmental earthquake 'shakeout' exercise and public outreach in mid‑October tied to Loma Prieta commemoration, including a brown‑bag presentation on soft‑story buildings and neighborhood outreach events.
