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Supervisors forward proposal to add sworn 'Deputy Chief' security posts for PUC and MTA after extended debate
Summary
The Budget and Finance Committee forwarded legislation to add two sworn Deputy Chief (Deputy Chief 3) positions for the Public Utilities Commission and the Municipal Transportation Agency to the full Board without recommendation after staff and agency managers argued the titles help secure interjurisdictional cooperation and grant funding and supervisors raised concerns about staffing growth and alternatives.
The Budget and Finance Committee on Monday voted 2'to'1 to send to the full Board of Supervisors a proposal to add two sworn Deputy Chief (Deputy Chief 3) positions to oversee security functions at the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA).
Proponents from both agencies said the positions are operationally necessary. "We are here in support of this item," said Ed Harrington, general manager of the PUC, noting the commission manages "hundreds of miles of pipelines, tunnels, transmission lines" and "we own 100 square miles of land." Harrington said a sworn deputy chief gives the city a recognized title when liaising with sheriffs and other jurisdictions and can help the city secure federal grants.
Judson True, speaking for the MTA, said the deputy chief position "is crucial to security for the MTA," citing responsibility for a response team of about "10 to 12 officers," oversight of parking control officers and recent federal and state grant work. True said the position is already funded in the MTA's current budget and has been central to recent security contracting and fare-inspection efforts.
Opponents warned of organizational creep and questioned whether sworn status or the high rank is necessary. One supervisor said the duties sounded like "a coordinator" role better suited to a civilian hire, and others cautioned the deputy chief titles could precipitate requests for additional sworn staff. Committee members repeatedly pressed agency representatives for detail on command authority, who the deputies would supervise and how the positions would operate when not on duty.
Budget staff clarified the positions are funded within department budgets and not from the general fund. The committee's budget analyst said the report's earlier recommendation had been revised to state the ordinance represents a policy decision for the full Board.
Supervisor Dufty moved to forward the item to the Board "without recommendation." The roll call recorded two ayes (Supervisor Ellsburn and Supervisor Mercurini) and one no (Chair Jake McGoldrick), resulting in the item being sent to the full Board without the committee endorsing or opposing it.
The full Board will next weigh the policy question of whether to adopt sworn deputy chief positions for these enterprise departments or to pursue civilian alternatives and associated staffing changes.
