San Francisco Budget and Appropriations Committee Meeting – June 16, 2021
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San Francisco Budget and Appropriations Committee Meeting – June 16, 2021
The Budget and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Supervisor Matt Haney, met on June 16, 2021, from 18:15 to approximately 22:00, to review and take action on the Mayor's proposed budget for fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. The committee heard presentations from over a dozen city departments, including Public Health, Human Services, Homelessness and Supportive Housing, Libraries, Arts Commission, and others. Public comment was extensive, with callers addressing child care funding, homelessness services, Prop C allocations, and library security. The committee voted to send several items to the full Board of Supervisors with positive recommendations and continued other items for further discussion.
Consent Calendar
- Approved item 3 (Patient Rates for DPH) to the full board with a 5-0 vote.
- Approved item 4 (Acceptance of State Grant Funds for DPH) to the full board with a 5-0 vote.
- Approved item 5 (EMS Fees transfer to DEM) to the full board with a 5-0 vote.
- Approved item 6 (Homelessness and Supportive Housing Fund Expenditure Plan) to the full board with a 5-0 vote.
- Approved items 7 and 8 (Library Grants from Friends of SFPL) to the full board with a 5-0 vote.
- Approved item 9 (Rent Board Fee Collection Ordinance) to the full board with a 5-0 vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dozens of callers provided public comment on items 1 and 2 (the overall budget), focusing on child care funding, Prop C allocations for homelessness, library security, and the need for affordable housing.
- Several callers urged the committee to fully fund the Our City, Our Home Oversight Committee's budget recommendations and respect the voter intent of Prop C and Prop I.
- Library employees and advocates called for increased security staffing (BGPOs) at branch libraries.
- Parents and child care advocates asked for restoration of $900,000 for child care resource and referral and adherence to Prop C funding priorities.
Discussion Items
- Department of Public Health (DPH): Director Grant Colfax presented a $2.8 billion budget emphasizing racial equity, behavioral health investments (including Mental Health SF implementation and overdose prevention), and ongoing COVID-19 response. Supervisors questioned the cost of overdose prevention programs, the effectiveness of sheriff reductions at Zuckerberg San Francisco General, and the need for expanded subacute care beds.
- Human Services Agency (HSA): Director Trent Rhorer presented budgets for the Department of Disability and Aging Services (DOS), Office of Early Care and Education (OECE), and Department of Benefits and Family Support. Discussion included concerns about using Prop C funds for family resource centers, food security programs, and the gap in funding for the Latino Task Force food hub.
- Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH): Director Shireen McSpadden presented a $1 billion+ budget over two years, including 800-1,000 new PSH units, 1,500 flex housing subsidies, safe parking sites, and safe sleeping sites. Supervisors raised concerns about the high cost of safe sleeping ($57,000 per tent) and the need for geographic equity in siting services.
- First 5 San Francisco: Director Teresa Zagar presented a $28 million budget focused on early childhood support, racial equity planning, and the upcoming merger with OECE.
- Asian Art Museum, Fine Arts Museums, Academy of Sciences, Arts Commission, War Memorial, Recreation and Parks, Department of Children, Youth and Their Families, Child Support Services: Each department presented its budget and priorities. Significant discussions included learning loss recovery ($15 million for RISE), mental health services for middle schools, and the need for expanded security at libraries.
- Item 10 (Prop I supplemental amendment): Supervisor Preston proposed amending the ordinance to allocate $128.3 million from fiscal cliff reserves to rent relief and social housing, citing unmet need from COVID-19. After debate, the committee voted to approve the amendments (5-0) and continue the item to the call of the chair for further consideration.
Key Outcomes
- The committee voted unanimously (5-0) to send items 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 to the full Board of Supervisors on July 13, 2021, with positive recommendations.
- Items 1 and 2 (the main budget and salary ordinances) were continued to the June 17, 2021, meeting.
- Item 10 (Prop I supplemental) was amended to reflect a $128.3 million allocation from reserves for rent relief and social housing, and then continued to the call of the chair for further discussion.
Meeting Transcript
This meeting will come to order. This is the June 16th, 2021 budget and appropriations committee meeting. I'm Matt Haney, Chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, joined by committee members President Walton, Supervisors Ronin, Safai and Marr. Our clerk is Ms. Linda Wong. I want to thank Colina Mendoza from SFGov TV for broadcasting the meeting. Madam Clerk, do you have any announcements? Yes, Mr. Chair, the minutes will reflect that committee members participated in this remote meeting through a video conference to the same extent as those physically present. The board recognizes that public access to city services is invite public participation in the following ways. Public comment will be available on each item on this agenda. Either channel 2678 or 99 NSFGTV.org are streaming the public call in number across the screen. Each speaker will be allowed two minutes to speak. Comments or opportunity to speak during public comment period are available via phone call by calling 415 65501. Again, 415655-0001. Meeting ID 146-3144843. Again, 146-314-4843. Then press pound twice. When connected, you will hear the meeting discussions, but you will be muted and in listening mode only. When your item of interest comes up, the start three to be added to the speaker line. Best practices are to call from a quiet location, speak clearly and slowly, and turn down your television or radio. Alternatively, you may submit public comment in the following way. Email to myself, the budget and appropriations committee clerk at L I N D A dot W O N G and S F G-O-V dot O R G. If you submit public comment via email, it will be forwarded to the supervisors and will be included as part of the official file. Written comments may be sent via US postal service to city hall number one, Dr. Carlton B. Good at place, room 244, San Francisco 94102. Finally, Spanish and Chinese interpretation services are available until 7 p.m. today. Callers who need interpretation services are encouraged to call in early to ensure interpretation services are available. I will now ask our interpreters to provide this announcement in their respective languages, beginning with our Spanish interpreter, Mr. Archoro Consesa, followed by our Chinese interpreter, Miss Agnes Lai. Mr. Consens, please. Perdón, SFGOV.org. Finalmente los services de interpretación in Español and Chino stand disponibles hasta las 7 de la noche. When we go yi Hong at though with Penanwanzi. So I guess all that 10 couple on your wang and see how it's going to legit in C what is I'm getting Tia Lali at the Hy Taoqua Yi Hagan said. Some Ben Holland saying that with How Gong May Go Yao Zen Yau Gate City Hall, one Dr. Cardin B Gulit Place, Room 244 SF California Live Wall 102. So how let's say you how you have in Yi Kappa Hoyi Walk Chai, how you have moza. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. This concludes our announcement. Thank you, Madam Hur. Can you please call items one and two together? Yes, item number one, budget and appropriation ordinance appropriating all estimated receipts and all estimated expenditures for departments of the city and county of San Francisco as of June 1st, 2021 for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2023. Item number two, annual salary ordinance enumerating enumerating positions in the annual budget and appropriation ordinance for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2023, continuing creating or establishing these positions. Members of the public who wish to provide public comment on these items should call 415 655 0001 meeting ID 146-3144843.
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