Budget and Government Efficiency Committee Meeting - July 8, 2026
Budget and Government Efficiency Committee Meeting - July 8, 2026
The Budget and Government Efficiency Committee met on July 8, 2026, to consider a consent agenda and four discussion items, including the proposed FY2027 statement of budgetary principles, a classified service exemption, a digital literacy program contract amendment, and a roadway equipment purchase contract amendment. All items passed with a 3-0 vote (Council Member Ela Rivera absent). The committee also heard public comments on tobacco enforcement, technology policy, and other matters.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1: Approval of committee minutes from June 17, 2026.
- Item 2: Approval of the second amendment to the agreement with Revelation Software Concepts for RevTrack software licensing, maintenance, and support.
- Both items were approved unanimously (3-0). Public comment included objections citing concerns about Freemason influence and opposition to technology (Luddite views).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-Agenda Public Comment:
- Becky Rapp expressed support for broader penalties on illegal sales of regulated products (e.g., smoke shops, vape shops), building on the council's action to increase penalties for illegal marijuana delivery. She urged consistent enforcement.
- Blair Beekman spoke about the importance of the lawmaking process and the future of technology, including considerations for peace and avoiding PLOC (no further clarification).
- Terry Ann Skelly praised the city's tobacco retailer license program and enforcement, asking for focus on vape stores near schools.
- Judy Strang requested an independent audit of enforcement spending on tobacco and marijuana, to assess whether fines and taxes are being collected and whether enforcement is beneficial.
- Madison encouraged funding for smoke-free multi-unit housing policies, citing health, equity, and cost savings.
- Consent Agenda Public Comment:
- Maximilian Schmidt (in-person) objected to both items, citing concerns about Freemason corruption and a Luddite opposition to technology contracts.
- Blair Beekman (virtual) spoke on items 1 and 2, questioning the process for leaving the Flock ALPR contract and urging better cybersecurity practices.
- Item 3 (Budgetary Principles) Public Comment:
- Maximilian Schmidt suggested transparency for foreign business contracts and questioned Freemason involvement in authority positions.
- Blair Beekman hoped for a shift toward prioritizing health and human services in budgeting, similar to Oakland.
- Item 4 (Program Coordinator Exemption) Public Comment:
- Maximilian Schmidt expressed concern about prioritizing technology agenda items and supported less cybersecurity spending.
- Blair Beekman noted the importance of information sharing and asked about longer public speaking time.
- Item 5 (Digital Literacy Contract) Public Comment:
- Maximilian Schmidt questioned the necessity given free phone/internet options for low-income residents and urged prioritizing library hours.
- Brandon Harrison (Executive Director, San Diego Futures Foundation) shared stories of program impact, including an 85-year-old who published a book after classes.
- Blair Beekman emphasized holistic tech accountability and involving ACLU ideals.
- Kathleen Lippett praised the program as practical and helpful for unemployed individuals.
- Item 7 (Roadway Equipment) Public Comment:
- Maximilian Schmidt argued the funds could be better used elsewhere and alleged harassment by a Freemason construction worker.
- Blair Beekman expressed surprise at the $1.2 million increase and tried to understand the city's paving needs.
Discussion Items
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Item 3: Proposed FY2027 Statement of Budgetary Principles
- Presented by Charles Monica (IBA) and Sergio Alcalde. The principles are largely unchanged from FY2026, with one substantive addition: requiring the Risk Management Department to give an annual presentation on settlement and judgment payments, including Police Department claims (requested at the June 17 committee meeting). The document outlines communication protocols, appropriation ordinance rules, and fiscal responsibility principles. The committee voted to forward it to the full council (3-0).
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Item 4: Exemption of a Program Coordinator Position in the Department of Information Technology from Classified Service
- Presented by CIO Jonathan Bakey and CISO Brendan Daly. The position will insource a cybersecurity role previously under a managed service contract, saving the city over $145,000 annually. The Civil Service Commission approved the exemption. The committee approved the ordinance (3-0).
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Item 5: Fourth Amendment to the Agreement with San Diego Futures Foundation for Digital Literacy Training (Tech on the Go)
- Presented by Jonathan Bakey, Ian Brazzle, and Maureen Medvedev. The amendment extends the contract for five one-year options and increases the not-to-exceed limit to $1.485 million. The program provides free digital skills classes at libraries and community centers, with 94% of attendees reporting progress toward technology goals. The program is funded through the IT general fund. The committee approved the amendment (3-0). Council Member Moreno requested data on class locations and attendance. Chair Foster asked about synergies with the San Diego Workforce Partnership; staff noted one class per week is dedicated to workforce readiness.
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Item 7: Authorization to Enter into the First Amendment to the Cooperative Procurement Contract with Nixon Eggley Equipment Corporation for Roadway Paving Equipment
- Presented by Gina Dulley (Deputy Director, General Services). The amendment increases contract capacity by $1.2 million (total $4.2 million) and extends the contract by one year. The equipment supports the Mill and Pave team, and buying is more cost-effective than renting (break-even at two years, useful life eight years). The committee approved the amendment (3-0).
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda (Items 1 & 2): Approved 3-0.
- Item 3: Approved 3-0, forwarded to full council.
- Item 4: Approved 3-0.
- Item 5: Approved 3-0.
- Item 7: Approved 3-0.
- Item 6: Returned to staff for further analysis.
- Next Meeting: Scheduled for Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, and welcome to the budget and government efficiency committee meeting of July eighth, twenty twenty-six. Our committee liaison, Natalie Kessler, will provide information and instruction for the public to participate in today's meeting. Thank you, Chair Foster. While members of the public are able to attend the meetings in person, this meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and council administration will continue to make arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. Members of the public who wish to provide virtual testimony must enter the virtual queue. By raising their hand before the virtual queue closes, the queue will close when the last virtual speaker finishes speaking or five minutes after in-person testimony ends, whichever occurs first. This will allow for better meeting management between the two platforms and ensure the committee is able to manage and conduct city business. Council President Pro Tem Lee. Council Member Ela Rivera. And Chair Foster. Also attending the meeting today is Charles Monica and Tricia Tack from the Office of the Independent Budget Analysts, Deputy City Attorney David Powell from the City Attorney's Office, Rolando Charbell, Chief Financial Officer, Matt Yekagan, Director of Policy from the Office of Mayor Todd Gloria, and Catalina Cifuentes, Associate Policy Advisor. If you're in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of the committee room and place it in the box indicated at the front of the room. Please do so in a timely manner to ensure proper meeting management. Once organized presentations have concluded, no further organized presentations will be taken. No further in-person testimony will be taken once the committee begins virtual testimony, and members of the public can join the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone by accessing the link listed online in the preamble language of the agenda on the city's webpage. If you need to participate by phone, please dial 16692545252. The webinar ID is one six zero, four three zero, eight three three eight pound. This information is also available available on the agenda. Please note that if you're watching via City TV channel 24 or online, there may be a delay. So please participate via the audio on your phone and meet your TV or computer when it is your turn to speak. If you wish to speak on a particular item, wait for that item to be called and then raise your hand to speak by tapping the raise your hand icon. Or if you're a call and participant, press star nine on your phone. If you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered. Chair. Thank you for that. A quorum is now present. Just some quick housekeeping before we go to non-agenda public comment. Um looks like item six, the user fees to support the Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement will be returned to staff for further analysis. So with that, we will now take up non-agenda public comment. The council members respect and appreciate the public's input and are fully committed to protecting every participant's free speech rights at council and committee meetings. Natalie, please proceed with non-agenda public comment. Is an opportunity for members of the public to comment on items that are not on the agenda but within the subject matter jurisdiction of the committee. Each speaker will have two minutes. And Chair, we have not received any speaker slips here in the committee room. We have three hands raised in the virtual cue. So I've I've started the five-minute timer. Becky Rapp, please unmute and provide your non-agenda public comment. Good morning, members of the budget and government efficiency committee. My name is Becky Rapp. I want to begin by recognizing the council's action yesterday to increase penalties for those who illegally deliver marijuana within the city. That was a positive step in strengthening enforcement and sending a clear message that illegal activity will not be tolerated. However, I believe we have an opportunity to build on that decision. If we're serious about protecting public safety and following the law, we should consider increasing penalties across the board for retailers, including smoke shops and vape shops that knowingly sell illegal or unlicensed products. As you're aware from yesterday's discussion and other previous meetings, illegal products often bypass the safety testing, labeling, and regulatory standards that exist to protect consumers. Stronger penalties would help discourage unlawful sales and reduce the availability of these unsafe products. Um consistent enforcement makes sense, and it also makes good fiscal sense. When penalties are applied across all types of illegal sales, we create a more effective deterrent and um make better use of our city's enforcement resources. So yesterday's vote was an important first step, but I encourage this committee to consider a um broader enforcement that applies meaningful penalties to all businesses engaged in the illegal sale of regulated products. Um doing so would strengthen public safety, support businesses, and reinforce that the city's commitment um to providing public safety for all in our neighborhoods. Thank you.
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