Supervisors Hear Strong Opposition to Mayor’s Plan to Outsource Museum, Hospital and City Building Security

Summary

Supervisors heard department presentations saying contracting could halve security/custodial costs and dozens of public comments urging them not to privatize custodial and security jobs. Committee continued Prop J items for further review after widespread testimony about safety, training and job losses.

The Budget and Finance Committee on Monday debated a package of Prop J resolutions that would let the city contract custodial and security services at dozens of public buildings, museums and hospitals to private firms to meet the mayor’s budget targets. Chair Supervisor John Avalos opened the hearing and called departments to present the fiscal and operational rationale.

Amy Brown, director of real estate and deputy city administrator, told the committee the city’s experience with six existing Prop J custodial contracts shows private contractors can provide custodial services “at about half the cost” of city employees. She said the current proposal would add 34 buildings to the contracts and estimated annualized savings of roughly $3.96 million to $5.15 million (Amy Brown, SEG 063–083). Brown said the change follows a facilities-management consolidation intended to let the city flex staffing across buildings.

Museum officials said the same pressures drove their positions. Jay Xu, director of the…

Supervisors Hear Strong Opposition to Mayor’s Plan to Outsource Museum, Hospital and City Building Security

Summary

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