Planning Department outlines two-year work program, warns of general fund shortfalls

SAN FRANCISCO ' The Planning Department presented its draft work program and budget outlook to the Planning Commission on Jan. 16, saying the city faces projected general-fund shortfalls and that the department will prioritize core functions while pursuing technology and service improvements.

John Ram, presented the overview and framed the work program as informational. Finance and IT manager Keith DeMartini said the city projects a general-fund shortfall of just over $100 million for FY2014-15 and about $118 million for FY2015-16, and that department budget instructions direct a 1.5 percent general fund reduction in FY2014-15 (roughly $40,000) and a further 1 percent reduction in FY2015-16 (roughly $67,000). DeMartini said the Planning Department receives relatively little general-fund support compared with other departments and that those percentages do not materially change departmental operations but are part of citywide reductions.

Key department highlights:

- Staffing and workload: The department's base staffing level is roughly 192 full-time equivalent positions, with modest adjustments proposed but no new positions included in the numbers presented at this hearing; proposed new positions will be presented at a subsequent hearing (Feb. 6).

- Permit and project tracking: Staff is preparing a new permit and project tracking system and a new online cashiering system to accept fees by credit card and wire transfer; a go-live date for the new tracking system was projected for February (system testing and public-user review ongoing).

- Urban forest and housing initiatives: Staff reported a well-attended public meeting on the urban forest master plan (about 150 attendees) and the first meeting of a mayoral housing task force led by DBI's Tom Hui; the task force aims to develop short-term no-legislation recommendations and longer-term policy proposals to support housing production for low- and moderate-income households.

Commissioners asked for clearer line items on urban design and citywide planning steps, and for a public demonstration of the new permit tracking system once testing is completed. Staff said the department would return with more detailed budget allocations and any proposed new positions at the next hearing.

What happens next: The Planning Department will submit a budget proposal to the mayor and return to the commission with more detailed staffing proposals, the demonstration of the permit tracking system, and further budget details in upcoming budget hearings.