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Department of Technology presses Dig Once and SFWiFi priorities as analysts propose cuts
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Summary
The Department of Technology told supervisors its $97M FY15–16 budget prioritizes Dig Once conduit, fiber to city buildings and expanded SFWiFi. Director Gamino warned firm BLA vacancy‑driven cuts could jeopardize delivery and asked for a cut‑to‑project crosswalk; supervisors requested itemized impacts on Dig Once, fire‑station connectivity and public Wi‑Fi expansion.
The Department of Technology presented its FY2015–16 budget to the Budget & Finance Committee and described a strategy centered on fiber, public Wi‑Fi and modernized data center infrastructure. Director of Technology said the department aims to make "fiber to city buildings" and the Dig Once policy the backbone for future digital inclusion and resilience work, and that the FY15–16 request of roughly $97 million includes $2 million for Dig Once implementation.
"We genuinely aspire to be the IT provider of choice," Department of Technology director told the committee, laying out reorganization and recruitment gains that enabled 55 appointments this fiscal year and an active hiring plan to replace long‑standing vacancies. He said recent reorganizing created client‑facing teams, project management capacity, and an emphasis on public safety systems.
Budget and Legislative Analyst recommendations include deletions tied to vacant positions; the department argued many of those vacancies are the very project managers and technical staff necessary to execute Dig Once, SFWiFi expansion and fire station connectivity. Supervisor Wiener asked for a subject‑area crosswalk showing what cuts would mean for policy goals: "If it's a vacancy that's in an area that is not a high priority...that's one thing. If it's a vacancy that's going to impact x y or z policy, that's what we need to know." The department agreed to provide a breakdown linking recommended cuts to discrete program impacts.
Supervisors also queried the department about equity and digital inclusion priorities — how investments will address the homework gap and connect low‑income housing and public housing facilities. The director said the phase‑2 connectivity plan will include stakeholder engagement aimed at mapping those needs and that fiber to public facilities (libraries, parks, fire stations) is a cornerstone of an equitable rollout.
The committee did not adopt final reductions; analysts and department staff said they will meet to produce a program‑level crosswalk to aid the committee's decisions next week.
