Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fines And Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Treasurer's office to accept $250,000 PolicyLink grant for national fines-and-fees reform network
Summary
The committee recommended the Treasurer and Tax Collector accept a $250,000 PolicyLink grant to fund the city's participation in a national network, Cities and Counties for Fines and Fees Justice, building on local reforms to fines and fees that have reduced debt for low-income residents.
The Budget and Finance Committee on April 15 voted to forward to the full Board a resolution authorizing the Treasurer and Tax Collector to accept and expand a $250,000 grant from PolicyLink to design and implement a national initiative called Cities and Counties for Fines and Fees Justice.
Krista Brown, who manages the Financial Justice Project in the Treasurer's Office, told the committee the funding will support San Francisco's participation in a national network to share local reforms and learn from other cities and counties pursuing similar changes. Brown cited examples of the city's previous work: eliminating overdue library fines and lifting more than $1,500,000 in related debt, creating income-based discounts for SFMTA towing and boot fees, and eliminating some administrative fees charged to people exiting the criminal-justice system.
Brown said the initiative will help localities provide advice based on San Francisco's experience and that the work will be important amid the economic pressures created by the COVID-19 crisis. The committee recorded aye votes and forwarded the resolution to the full board with a positive recommendation.
The resolution will be scheduled for consideration by the full Board of Supervisors and included in the legislative file.
