Budget panel approves $34,515 reserve release to cover temporary board meeting relocation

The Budget and Finance Committee on Wednesday approved a request by the Clerk of the Board to release $34,515 from committee reserves to pay for a temporary relocation of Board of Supervisors meetings.

Deborah Barone, Deputy Director of Administration for the Clerk of the Board, told the committee the item followed an earlier hearing that placed $51,054 in reserves pending final relocation details and that updated quotes for media services and staffing reduced the immediate request to $34,515. She said Room 416 will be used first and, if it proves inadequate for some dates, the North or Light South Courts would be used at the higher cost previously estimated.

Public comment urged the city to fully account for accessibility and site work. "The expenses are more than the $51,774," said Francisco Acosta, who identified himself as an ADA program director, and asked the clerk and controller to disclose whether electrical upgrades or other work had been included in the figures.

Chair Carmen Chu said the clerk would try Room 416 to save costs and use the alternate court only if necessary. The committee took the motion to release the reserves without objection and sent the item forward to the full Board of Supervisors.

The committee record shows the clerk considered a four-meeting estimate of roughly $34,005.15 and a six-meeting estimate near $51,007.74; Barone said staff would be available to answer follow-up questions if supervisors want additional detail on the cost components or accessibility work.