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Supervisors approve two behested payment waivers amid questions about transparency
Summary
The Board approved two six-month waivers allowing solicitation of donations for city programs despite committee concerns about transparency. Supervisor Fielder opposed item 24 citing insufficient information from the mayor's office; item 24 passed 8–3 and item 25 passed 10–1 (Walton opposed).
The Board of Supervisors on Dec. 2 approved two resolutions allowing city officials to solicit donations that would otherwise be constrained by the behested payments ordinance.
Supervisor Fielder, who chairs the Government Audit and Oversight Committee, said she would vote against item 24 because the mayor’s office and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development had failed to provide detailed information in committee about which private parties had been solicited and why. Fielder said she asked for names and dollar amounts and that some answers were available through public Form 803 filings but were not provided in committee; she said the lack of information raised concerns about the board’s ability to provide meaningful oversight and to avoid even an appearance of impropriety.
Several supervisors — including Sherrill, Chan and Sauter — expressed support for the waiver while also urging improved transparency and future committee follow‑up. After roll call the clerk recorded 8 ayes and 3 noes on item 24, with Supervisors Fielder, Melgar and Walton voting no; the resolution was adopted.
Item 25, which authorizes the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to solicit donations to expand temporary shelter and homeless services notwithstanding the behested‑payments ordinance, prompted similar scrutiny. Supervisor Walton said he would oppose the item because of concerns over the mayor’s pattern of siting programs and soliciting resources in certain districts; Chair Fielder said HSH had provided committee answers and that she had no concerns. Item 25 passed 10–1 with Walton voting no.
The board’s action allows limited use of private donations to support public programs, but several supervisors urged clearer reporting and suggested the GAO committee or other offices should return with more detailed accounting of solicited parties, dollar amounts, and safeguards against conflicts.
What’s next: Supervisors asked staff and the mayor’s office for more transparent documentation of solicited parties and dollar amounts and signaled that future behested payment waivers should be accompanied by committee‑level explanations and follow‑up review.
