Committee accepts budget analyst recommendations but removes one immigrant‑rights position

City Administrator Ed Lee asked the Budget and Finance Committee on June 28 to reconsider a disapproved 1842 position for the Immigrant Rights Commission, saying the commission has been "a very, very active organization on behalf of the city" amid national immigration debate and local ICE activity and needed additional staff to carry out sanctuary‑ordinance work.

After discussion, Chair Supervisor Aaron Peskin asked for a motion to accept the budget analyst's recommendations with the single exception of the 1842 position for the Immigrant Rights Commission. Supervisor Ross Mercarimi moved the amendment; Supervisor Ellsburn seconded. The committee adopted the motion and proceeded to handle related items.

Separately, the committee considered item 6 (ordinance raising fees for removal of remains and cremation services). Supervisor Tom Ammiano asked whether waivers exist for those unable to pay; Dr. Amy Hart, the city's medical examiner, said about 1,400 cases come to her office yearly and about half involve indigent decedents, confirming waiver provisions exist. The committee sent item 6 to the full board with a recommendation.

The chair also moved the committee's recommendation to accept reductions recommended by the analyst and to decline policy recommendations listed on pages 24–26; the motion was seconded and adopted without objection.

Next steps: The committee forwarded several items to the full board with recommendations and requested follow‑up hearings and additional detail where needed.