State Cuts a Concern for San Francisco Budget
Some health programs spared but layoffs still part of plan
Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 | Updated 7:15 AM PST
Getty Images
Mayor Gavin Newsom and the Board of Supervisors earlier this month reached a deal that included millions more for the health and human services, recreation and park services and homeless programs.
San Francisco supervisors Tuesday approved the city's $6.6 billion budget on a 9-2 vote, after adding several changes and placing an additional $45 million from the city's seven largest departments on reserve.
The vote came after the board and Mayor Gavin Newsom earlier this month reached a deal that included millions more for the health and human services, recreation and park services and homeless programs.
Some supervisors had complained the mayor's original budget disproportionately favored the police and fire departments.
Supervisor John Avalos, who chairs the Budget and Finance Committee, said though he was pleased overall, he had "mixed feelings" about the budget, which preserved some health and social programs but still resulted in hundreds of layoffs.
Avalos and other supervisors also expressed concerns about coming state cuts.
"It's uncertain what the impact is going to be, here in San Francisco," Avalos said.
Avalos submitted a motion that would allow the board to review any future cuts by Newsom due to the state budget. The motion was unanimously approved.
Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi's motion to take $900,000 from the superior court's indigent defense budget, and give $650,000 to the public defender's office and $250,000 to the district attorney's office, was approved 7-4.
Supervisor Sean Elsbernd said the cut to the trial court was unjustified and the reallocation uneven.
Cuts were also made to the Convention and Visitors Bureau's convention facilities fund and arts programs.
An additional $45 million proposed by Supervisor David Campos was placed in reserve by the board to offset any future cuts from weak state and local tax revenues. The reserve was drawn from the seven largest departments in the city.
Only Elsbernd and Supervisor Carmen Chu voted against the final budget.
The board will take a final vote on the budget next week before it is sent to Newsom for approval.
Posted Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 - 6:56 AM PST
