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Committee releases $150,000 in emergency relief funds for Indonesia, Samoa and the Philippines after debate over administration
Summary
The committee approved releasing $150,000 in reserve funds for overseas disaster relief but debated which city office should administer the grants and demanded a transparent process and reporting; the release passed on a 2–1 roll call.
The Budget & Finance Committee voted to release $150,000 in reserve funds for emergency aid to communities affected by recent disasters in The Philippines, Indonesia and Samoa but the vote followed extended discussion about the administration of the funds and required reporting.
Proposals and community process: Supervisor Daly's office convened community organizations representing Filipino, Samoan and Indonesian interests and presented project proposals recommended by the affected communities, including community-managed mini-pharmacies and disaster-preparedness centers. Community representatives (including the Samoan Community Development Center and the Filipino Community Center) described a consultative selection process and proposed project budgets for roughly $50,000 allocations.
Administration and transparency concerns: Supervisors and the budget analyst pressed the question of which city office would administer the funds. Budget and community speakers said the monies had been placed in GenCity (the controller's reserve), and the controller—s representative, Leo Levinson, said the controller—s office was willing to administer the funds but needed time to design an open and fair process, including criteria and application steps.
Vote and conditions: After a motion to release the funds and discussion about accountability and reporting, the committee voted by roll call (Mercarini Aye; Avalos Aye; Chu No) to release the reserve. Committee members directed that the controller work with Supervisor Daly's office and community sponsors to establish a simple, transparent selection process and return with accountability reporting.
Next steps: Controller—s staff will review past procedures for similar disbursements and coordinate with community sponsors on a fair distribution mechanism and reporting schedule.
