San Francisco Budget and Finance Committee Regular Meeting – September 16, 2026

The Budget and Finance Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors met on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 6:15 PM. The meeting was chaired by Supervisor Matt Dorsey, joined by Vice Chair Shyen Chen (arriving after roll call) and member Danny Sauter. Board President Rafael Mandelman made a guest appearance. The committee considered 15 agenda items, including retroactive grants, property tax rates, professional services contracts, a lease amendment, and an ordinance on prevailing wages for street cleaning services. Public comment was heard on several items, and all items were either forwarded to the full board or continued.

Consent Calendar

• None (all items were considered individually).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Items 1 & 2 (Parivar Bay Area and CUAV grants): Anjali Remy, President and Co-Founder of Parivar Bay Area, spoke emotionally about the organization's work supporting transgender and immigrant communities. She described Parivar as the only trans, kinnar, hijra-led Global South organization in the U.S., serving San Francisco for eight years. She stated the requested $450,000 grant is a "lifeline" to rebuild after the organization had to close its Immigrant Cultural Center in April 2026 due to lack of funding. She noted Parivar held over 600 events, recorded 28,300 participant engagements, and graduated 212 people through its leadership program.
• Item 15 (Prevailing wage for street cleaning): Over 20 speakers testified, nearly all in strong support of the ordinance. Represented groups included Laborers' Local 261 (business manager David Del Toro, president James Bryant of A. Philip Randolph Institute, park section supervisor Toby Price, and many members), the California Alliance for Jobs (Joshua Arce), the Foundation for Fair Contracting, and the San Francisco Labor Council (Kim Tavallone). Speakers argued that prevailing wages ensure dignity, prevent exploitation, create pathways to middle-class careers, and that workforce development programs must offer real training and job placement. No speakers opposed the ordinance.

Discussion Items

• Items 1 & 2 – Retroactive Grant Amendments for LGBTQI+ Services: The Human Rights Commission (now Agency for Human Rights) requested approval to increase grants for Parivar Bay Area (by $150,000, total $450,000) and Community United Against Violence (by $100,000, total $300,000) to reimburse services provided through June 30, 2025. Board President Mandelman spoke in support, noting these organizations serve queer/trans people of color and immigrants under federal attack. CFO Samuel Thomas presented. The committee accepted amendments to item 1 (correcting fiscal sponsor to TransCAN Work, Inc.) and continued item 1 to the September 23 meeting. Item 2 was forwarded to the full board with a positive recommendation (3-0 vote).
• Item 3 – Grant from San Francisco Foundation for Affirmative Litigation: The City Attorney's Office requested approval to accept a $200,000 grant to fund affirmative litigation and enforcement work (consumer protection, housing, federal funding defense). Andrea Bruss presented. Public comment was none. The committee forwarded it to the full board (3-0).
• Item 4 – Sunset Boulevard Recycled Water Irrigation Grant: The Department of Public Works requested acceptance of a $1 million state grant (from the Budget Act of 2025, sponsored by Senator Scott Wiener) for the Sunset Boulevard Recycled Water Irrigation Improvement Project. The project will replace five potable water connections with recycled water from the Oceanside treatment plant, saving 40 million gallons of drinking water annually. Total project cost is $10.5 million; the grant requires no local match. Ian Schneider presented. The committee forwarded it to the full board (3-0).
• Item 5 – Property Tax Rate Resolution: The Controller's Office presented the annual resolution setting the combined secured property tax rate for FY2026-2027 at 1.18162% per $100 of assessed value. Jamie Whitaker explained that the median residential property (value $771,542 plus 2% Prop 13 increase) would pay $174.22 more than the prior year. The Budget and Legislative Analyst (Nick Menard) recommended approval. The committee adopted a non-substantive amendment and forwarded it to the full board (3-0).
• Items 6-10 – PUC As-Needed Environmental Review Contracts: The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission requested approval for five professional services contracts (each up to $15 million, seven-year terms, with three-year options) for environmental review services under CEQA/NEPA. The contracts are with Environmental Science Associates, AECOM Technical Services, Panorama Environmental, GEI Consultants, and Stantec Consulting Services. Hannah Young (PUC) explained that the contracts are based on the PUC's 10-year capital plan ($12.5 billion) and represent less than 1% of that plan. Each firm committed to 20% LBE participation. The BLA recommended approval. Public comment was none. The committee forwarded items 6-10 to the full board (3-0).
• Item 11 – Lease Amendment for Jail Health Services: The Department of Public Health requested a second amendment to the lease at 650-5th Street, Suites 307-309, reducing annual base rent from $58.53 to $40 per square foot ($122,400 annually, 3% annual increases) for an initial term through July 31, 2031, with a five-year renewal option. Martin Soto (Jail Health Services) noted the space supports 23 staff and key administrative functions. Sally Earth (Real Estate) highlighted the 32% rent reduction. Public comment was none. The committee forwarded it to the full board (3-0).
• Item 12 – Cal OES Grant for Women's Options Center Security: This item was continued to the September 30, 2026 meeting due to a scheduling issue. The $475,000 grant from the Governor's Office of Emergency Services would fund physical and digital infrastructure security improvements at the Women's Options Center. The committee voted unanimously to continue (3-0).
• Item 13 – BCHIP Grant for Health Recovery and Connection Center: The Department of Public Health requested retroactive approval to accept an $11.2 million grant from the California Department of Health Care Services (BCHIP Round 5) for renovation of 1660 Mission Street into a Health Recovery and Connection Center. The center will co-locate behavioral health services, a sobering center (16 beds), City Clinic, and a pharmacy. Total project cost is $106 million (including acquisition and voluntary seismic work). The grant requires a 10% local match (met by Proposition C and general obligation bonds). Dr. Christy Soran presented. The BLA noted the project cost increased $20 million due to added seismic work and staircase. Supervisor Sauter asked about the sobering center model, which is still under development. The committee forwarded it to the full board (3-0).
• Item 14 – Emergency Housing Voucher Transition Grant: The Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing requested approval of a $28.75 million grant agreement with the San Francisco Housing Authority to provide bridge funding for households transitioning from federal Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) to other federal vouchers. Emily Cohen explained that EHVs are non-time-limited but federal funding ends in 2030; the city is using local funds to ensure stability. In September 2026, 90 households transitioned; 300 more are expected by year-end. The BLA noted the plan depends on pending federal appropriations. The committee forwarded it to the full board (3-0).
• Item 15 – Prevailing Wage for Street Cleaning Services (Ordinance): Supervisor Melgar introduced an ordinance to require prevailing wages for city contracts and grants for street cleaning (power washing, steam cleaning, bulk waste removal). After months of negotiations, amendments were offered to exempt workforce development programs meeting certain criteria (three-year term, 51% job placement rate) and Community Benefit Districts using assessment funds. The amendments also exempt contracts under the city administrator's delegated authority threshold. The BLA estimated potential cost increases: if workforce grants do not meet criteria, costs could rise by $8.9 million annually; ambassador contracts could also be impacted. Supervisor Chen expressed support and added herself as co-sponsor. Supervisor Sauter thanked Melgar for balancing interests. Chair Dorsey raised questions about the definition of public right-of-way and CBD funding. Public comment was overwhelmingly in support. The committee adopted the amendments (3-0) and forwarded the ordinance to the full board with a positive recommendation (3-0).

Key Outcomes

• Item 1: Amendments adopted; continued to September 23, 2026 Budget and Finance Committee meeting.
• Item 2: Forwarded to full Board of Supervisors with positive recommendation (3-0).
• Item 3: Forwarded to full board (3-0).
• Item 4: Forwarded to full board (3-0).
• Item 5: Amended and forwarded to full board (3-0).
• Items 6-10: Forwarded to full board (3-0).
• Item 11: Forwarded to full board (3-0).
• Item 12: Continued to September 30, 2026 meeting (3-0).
• Item 13: Forwarded to full board (3-0).
• Item 14: Forwarded to full board (3-0).
• Item 15: Amendments adopted and ordinance forwarded to full board with positive recommendation (3-0).