San Francisco Fire Department seeks $14.6M supplemental to cover overtime, cites staffing shortfall as budget presentation outlines $461M plan

The San Francisco Fire Department told the Fire Commission on Jan. 26 that COVID-19 absences and retirement-driven vacancies have driven up overtime costs and prompted a mayoral supplemental of roughly $14.6 million to cover staffing gaps and sustain training academies.

Deputy Director of Finance Mark Corso presented the department’s operating budget overview, saying the department’s base budget is about $461 million, primarily from the city’s general fund. Corso also noted the city’s joint report projects a $108 million surplus over the next two years, which reduces the need for mandatory departmental cuts this budget cycle and informs departmental budget instructions.

“Overtime has increased dramatically in the current year,” Corso said, and the supplemental allocation “would be used to help offset our overtime deficit.” He told commissioners the supplemental is part of the mayor’s submission to the Board of Supervisors and that the department is coordinating with the Mayor’s Office and Controller’s Office to incorporate any approved positions into the rolling two-year budget.

Chief of Department Janine Nicholson said the department’s Omicron surge has declined from a high of roughly 160 to 36 active cases in the last 10 days, but that mandatory overtime remains necessary to fill shifts. She said she is “hopeful” the department will get the two-thirds vote needed on the supplemental and that she will meet with supervisors to answer questions.

Commissioners asked for detail on how the supplemental figure was derived and on budget timing. Corso said the $14.6 million figure stems from year-end projections and is primarily intended to offset overtime; the mayor’s office also committed to supporting additional academies and EMS supplementals already in process. Corso estimated an academy class of about 40 recruits costs roughly $3 million once instructor and logistical expenses are included.

The presentation also reviewed structural budget risks: mandatory minimum staffing requirements established under Prop F that constrain the department’s ability to reassign personnel, lingering pandemic-related uncertainties affecting call volumes and revenues, and deferred facility and fleet maintenance needs. Corso said roughly $30 million of the department’s expenditures relate to airport-funded services and that most other operations rely on the city’s general fund.

What’s next: Corso said departmental budgets are due to the Mayor’s Office on Feb. 22, with Board of Supervisors Budget and Finance Committee hearings in mid-June; the Commission will hold a required second budget meeting on Feb. 9 to review the department’s submission.

Votes and formal actions at the meeting included adoption of a teleconference-finding resolution and routine approvals (see “Votes at a glance”).

Votes at a glance

- Resolution under California Government Code section 54953(e) to allow teleconference meetings: moved by Commissioner Francie Covington, seconded by Commissioner Ken Cleveland, passed unanimously.
- Approval of Jan. 12, 2022 minutes: passed unanimously.
- Adoption of the Fire Commission’s 2022 annual statement of purpose: passed unanimously.

Ending

Director Corso and department leadership said their next update will include incorporating any approved supplementals and the costs/timing of planned academies into the department’s two-year budget submission to the Mayor’s Office.