Ethics staff report 87–88% completion of 2020 BLA audit recommendations; two items remain in progress

The San Francisco Ethics Commission received an update April 8 on its work implementing 16 recommendations from the Board of Supervisors’ August 2020 performance audit. Executive Director Powell (speaking for staff) said the commission embraced all 16 recommendations and had completed roughly 87–88% of them as of March 31, 2022, with two recommendations still in progress.

Powell said the lobbying audits referenced in the BLA recommendations were initiated earlier this calendar year, with audit work expected to complete by June 30 and public reports anticipated in the summer. The staff chart attached to the agenda item provides a status entry for each recommendation, due dates as identified by the BLA, and links to deliverables. Commissioners praised staff progress but also urged clear benchmarks and timelines for the outstanding items.

During public comment, callers urged urgency and reminded commissioners of past integrity failures; staff reaffirmed their planned schedule for reporting work later in the fiscal year.

What to watch: the commission said it will return with a fuller update at the end of the fiscal year and expects to have the remaining items complete.