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Committee advances ballot motion to require a budget line for dignitary security despite police chief's concerns
Summary
The Rules Committee voted to forward to the full Board a motion to place before voters a requirement that the city budget include an appropriation for police dignitary security. Chief George Gascon warned a line item could "handcuff the police department" and create an artificial ceiling; supervisors said the aim is transparency and oversight. The city attorney advised the chief retains discretion to exceed a line item.
Item 5 was called as a motion to submit to voters an ordinance requiring the city's annual budget to include an appropriation for Police Department expenditures on security for public officials and dignitaries, with an election scheduled for June 8, 2010.
Supervisor Ross Mercarini introduced the motion and asked Chief George Gascon to discuss operational concerns. Chief Gascon said he opposed a mandatory line item because it could "handcuff the police department" when unpredictable events occur and because public…
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