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Public Defender urges preservation of Clean Slate positions as supervisors weigh grant‑to‑general‑fund transfers
Summary
The public defender urged the Budget Committee to retain 2.5 Clean Slate positions (largely Spanish‑speaking) and not shift them off the payroll as grant funding ends, warning reductions would slow expungement services; supervisors expressed both support for the program and concern about structural budget growth.
The committee on June 21 considered BLA recommendations for modest technical reductions to the Public Defender's office and three policy matters to move three Clean Slate positions from grant funding to the general fund. The BLA identified $37,217 in recommended reductions (FY24–25) and described the transfer of 2.5 paralegal/legal assistant positions and one clerk — proposed moves that would create ongoing general‑fund obligations if approved.
Public Defender Raju described the Clean Slate program as a high‑volume service: nearly 6,000 new applications last year, community clinics in Bayview and Mission, and crucial Spanish‑speaking capacity (the 2.5 positions include Spanish‑speaking staff who handle walk‑ins and community clinics). Raju said the office has increased filings for human‑trafficking relief and other motions and argued the grant positions are essential to public safety and re‑entry outcomes.
Supervisors expressed tension between supporting an effective program and avoiding unplanned long‑term structural budget growth. Chair Chan and others reminded departments that accepting temporary grant funding can lead to permanent obligations and noted last year’s add‑backs provided 12 new FTEs to the Public Defender, which created expectations about how grant positions would be managed. Several supervisors — including Walton, Melgar, and Peskin — voiced support for preserving the Clean Slate work but asked for clearer plans on how to absorb grant‑to‑general fund transitions without worsening the structural deficit.
Clarifying details provided in the hearing: the BLA characterized some recommendations as policy matters because they create ongoing costs; the Public Defender’s office reported interviewing and extending an offer for an IT position and stressed attrition had driven prior vacancy management that suppressed overtime spending.
Outcome and next steps: The committee did not take a final vote on moving Clean Slate positions to the general fund on June 21; supervisors signaled support for the program while asking for further details about whether the program should be continued as a permanent general‑fund service. The matter remains a policy decision for the full board and the budget process.
Quotes: "This isn't really a cut, but just a continuation of the service," Public Defender Raju said, urging retention of the Spanish‑speaking staff core to community clinics.
What to watch: Whether the board will accept the BLA’s recommendation to reject transferring these positions (saving general fund dollars) or will approve moving grant‑funded roles into permanent budget lines during subsequent budget actions.
