Supervisors Hear Broad Support and Concerns as Charter Amendment to Renew Library Preservation Fund Is Refined and Continued

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ committee took public testimony and refined a first-draft charter amendment on Wednesday that would renew the Library Preservation Fund for 15 years and allow the city to issue debt secured by that dedicated property-tax set-aside.

Chair Supervisor Tom Ammiano opened the hearing after the clerk read Item 1, which would repeal and replace section 16.109 of the charter to renew the fund and authorize revenue bonds or other indebtedness to be secured by or repaid from the set-aside. Library staff and community members described both the program’s record and outstanding questions about oversight and the proposed debt authority.

Luis Herrera of the San Francisco Public Library summarized Prop E’s impact, saying, “The passage of proposition e has played a key role in stabilizing the library's funding and enabling the library to significantly improve its services and collections.” Herrera told the committee that Prop E has supported an expansion in hours, staff and materials, and that the branch renovation program (BLIP) has delivered several new and renovated branches but faces an estimated $44 million to $52 million shortfall to finish remaining projects.

Sponsor Supervisor Aaron Peskin said he will offer an amendment…