Board of Supervisors’ Budget Committee continues May 1 enterprise budget hearings; items 1–3 continued to May 22

The Board of Supervisors’ Budget and Appropriations Committee met May 15 to begin a series of hearings on the mayor’s May 1 proposed budgets for enterprise agencies and selected departments for fiscal years 2024–25 and 2025–26. Chair Supervisor Connie Chan opened the hearing, framed the work as one of fiscal discipline and said the committee must “manage our spending so that we can continue to offer the critical services that our residents need, but do so within our means.”

Departments across the city presented budget overviews, including airport, transit, utilities, the port, libraries, the law library, the rent board, and the employee retirement system. Presenters repeatedly emphasized capital needs and staffing: the San Francisco International Airport presented a proposed operating budget of about $1.6 billion and an $11 billion capital program; the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission outlined a 10-year capital improvement plan of about $11.8 billion; and several agencies requested new or converted positions to stabilize operations.

Supervisors pressed departments on risk and revenue assumptions. Chan noted the city-wide budget totals and the need to align spending with values; questions to departments focused on grant reliability, fee increases and whether proposed staff additions are sustainable without future general fund support.

The committee heard public comment, including an appeal from transit advocates to hold down fare increases and prioritize funding for Muni service. After presentations and public comment, Chair Chan moved to continue items 1–3 to the May 22 meeting for follow-up and review of trailing legislation; the motion passed with the roll call recorded as ayes and Member Peskin absent.

The hearing continues next week when the committee will take up trailing legislation including revenue bonds, fee changes and appropriation ordinances that departments flagged during their presentations.