Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Funds topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee forwards ordinance to shrink Public Library petty-cash fund after controller audit
Summary
The Budget & Finance Committee voted to send to the full Board an ordinance that would reduce the San Francisco Public Library—s cash revolving fund from $55,000 to $3,500 following controller recommendations; a public commenter warned the change does not address longer-term internal control problems.
The Budget & Finance Committee on Wednesday moved to the full Board an ordinance that would cut the San Francisco Public Library—s cash revolving fund from $55,000 to $3,500, a change staff said reflects the smaller on-hand cash needs of branch operations.
Madam Clerk read the ordinance and a library staff member said the fund is used for change and petty cash across the system—s 26–27 branches, primarily to operate cash registers and cover minor daily expenses. "We put in the resolution to reduce the revolving fund for the public library based on recommendation by the controller," a staff speaker said.
During public comment, a resident identified in the record as Mister Chen said the change should not obscure earlier audit findings. "Stop the corporate takeover of the public library," he said, and urged the committee not to rely solely on the fund cut while longer-standing internal-control issues remain. Chen told the committee he recalled a controller—s audit (and earlier 1996–97 findings) that identified inadequate controls and said that audit report was not attached to the current agenda materials.
Monique Zamuda of the controller—s office confirmed in remarks to President Peskin that reducing a department—s revolving fund is a standard outcome of the office—s revolving-fund audits when a department has excess capacity relative to its need. "If so, we do recommend that the administrative code be changed to reduce that threshold," Zamuda said.
Committee leadership offered no objections and the item was sent to the full Board with a committee recommendation. The committee did not vote publicly on an amendment at the hearing; the record shows the item advanced "to the full board with recommendation." The full Board will consider the ordinance and any additional materials, including the referenced audit documents.
What happens next: The ordinance will appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda for further review and final action; the controller—s office and library staff can be expected to provide supporting documents to that meeting.
