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Board approves change to briefing schedule, defers court-reporter decision amid budget debate
Summary
The Board of Appeals adopted an amended briefing schedule (Article V) aimed at reducing repeated brief schedule changes; commissioners debated eliminating the court reporter to save money but split on whether recorded SFGTV tapes provide an adequate official record and deferred the court-reporter decision pending budget review.
The San Francisco Board of Appeals voted to amend its briefing schedule to a pattern of two Thursdays plus one Thursday prior to a hearing (Article V), a change staff recommended to reduce repeated schedule changes. Commissioners and members of the public debated a separate proposed amendment to decommission the court reporter requirement and rely on SFGTV recordings and other transcripts.
Supporters of removing the court-reporter requirement framed the change as a modest budget-saving measure; opponents and the court reporter company argued the court reporter produces a clearer, certified record and helps parties (particularly unrepresented participants) secure accurate transcripts for appeals. Commissioners noted that SFGTV provides a live recording but that recordings sometimes have inaudible gaps and that transcribing tapes can impose costs on parties seeking certified transcripts.
The board split the rule-change package: it adopted the briefing-schedule amendment by a 4–0–1 vote (Holland absent) and deferred a final decision on Article IV (court reporter) pending budget reviews and a review of departmental contract mechanisms. Staff said they would add a budget line for an extension of the court-reporter contract if the board chose to retain it during the budget process.
Next steps: The briefing-schedule amendment takes effect per board direction; staff will bring back budgetary details and, if necessary, department representatives to clarify contract and transcription practices before a final decision on court reporters.
