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Board of Appeals adopts FY22-23 budget and asks Controller to reassess surcharges
Summary
The Board adopted its FY22-23 budget and asked the Controller's office to re-evaluate permit surcharges to cover operating costs after COVID reduced permit volumes; commissioners approved the budget 5–0 and recommended restoring earlier surcharge levels or adjusting to recover costs.
The San Francisco Board of Appeals voted unanimously on Feb. 17 to adopt its proposed FY22‑23 budget, while urging the Controller—s office to re‑examine permit surcharge levels that fund most of the board—s operations.
Executive Director Julie Rosenberg told commissioners that roughly 96% of the board—s revenue comes from surcharges on permits and that appeal volume and permit issuance have fallen during the COVID pandemic, producing a projected deficit and reduced reserves. Rosenberg noted one cost‑saving measure: Planning Department staff provided a tool that reduced a previously outsourced mailing expense by roughly $20,000.
Commissioner Rick Swig urged returning surcharges to pre‑2018 levels (when they were reduced) and applying CPI adjustments thereafter to rebuild reserves; other commissioners supported asking the Controller to evaluate surcharge adjustments. The board—s motion adopted the budget as amended (minor editorial changes requested by the executive director) and included a recommendation that surcharges be adjusted as needed to cover the board—s costs.
The motion passed 5–0. The board asked staff to work with the Controller—s office on a surcharge analysis expected in April and to return with recommended adjustments as appropriate.
