Willie Yao urges commission to restore engineering positions in budget proposal

In a pivotal meeting on July 4, 2025, the San Francisco City Commission addressed critical staffing issues within the city's plan check department, which oversees building inspections and engineering reviews. Willie Yao, the acting manager of PlanChat, made an urgent appeal for the restoration of management positions that have been cut over the past several years. Yao emphasized that the department has been operating with a flattened organizational structure, leaving him and his team working at levels below their classifications.

Yao's plea highlighted the need for a fully functional plan check department, stating that the erosion of management roles has hindered the department's effectiveness. He urged the commission to consider reinstating these positions to improve operational capacity and service delivery.

In addition to Yao's comments, the commission voted on a motion regarding budget increases. The motion proposed a 15% increase in funding, with an additional recommendation for a potential 5% increase, capping at 20%. The vote concluded with a narrow approval of 4 to 2, indicating a divided opinion among commissioners on the budgetary adjustments.

This meeting underscores the ongoing challenges faced by San Francisco's plan check department and the city's commitment to addressing staffing shortages that impact public service efficiency. As the commission moves forward, the implications of these decisions will be closely monitored by both city employees and the community they serve.