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Board approves $14.9M contract amendment for Pretrial Diversion Project after tense debate; one supervisor dissents
Summary
The Board of Supervisors voted 9–1 on July 30 to authorize a 5th amendment to the sheriff’s contract with the San Francisco Pretrial Diversion Project, increasing the contract by about $14.9 million and extending it through June 30, 2026. Supervisor Stephanie cast the lone no vote, citing unimplemented recommendations from a 2021 validation study and concerns about data and SB 36 compliance.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on July 30 adopted a resolution authorizing the sheriff’s office to enter a fifth amendment to its contract with the San Francisco Pretrial Diversion Project, increasing the contract by approximately $14,900,000 for a new total not to exceed roughly $34,600,000 and extending the contract term through June 30, 2026.
Supervisor Stephanie explained her no vote and urged caution, saying the city has not implemented key recommendations from a 2021 validation study. "While Pretrial asserts that their outcomes with respect to safety and appearance rates are extremely high in the nineties, there remains a concern regarding the validity of that data," she said, adding that the required triennial validation under SB 36 had not been completed as of June 2024.
Supervisor Chan, who urged support for the amendment, referenced the budget and legislative analyst’s review and the sheriff’s fiscal and compliance monitoring, saying the amendment had committee-level recommendations in its favor. "It is a critical element to our criminal justice system to have this continue on," Chan said.
The measure drew questions about increased costs described in the budget materials as driven in part by rising office rent; Stephanie said she found that explanation puzzling and that she lacked information needed to be persuaded to support additional funding.
Roll call on the resolution recorded nine ayes and one no; Supervisor Stephanie voted no. The resolution was adopted.
