Committee signals acceptance of DPH budget; officials outline $27M continuing COVID response in year two

The Budget and Appropriations Committee on June 23 signaled intention to accept the Department of Public Health (DPH) budget with the Budget and Legislative Analyst’s (BLA) recommended adjustments and heard detail about continuing COVID-19 response funding.

Grama Colfax, Director of Health, told the committee DPH accepts the BLA’s recommended changes and said the mayor will introduce a technical adjustment to add $2,000,000 for behavioral-health programming at shelters and drop-in centers. Dan Doncher of the BLA summarized recommended reductions to DPH: $3,433,735 in FY21-22 (including $1,307,534 ongoing and $2,126,201 one-time) and an additional $1,321,352 in FY22-23 (ongoing).

Supervisor Safaie pressed DPH on a $27,000,000 line in year two described as "ongoing response". Greg Wagner, DPH Chief Operating Officer, explained the figure represents continuing COVID response and recovery work: "about $12,700,000 of that is related to federal grants that we have received, that are multi-year grants in the current year. And then, the remainder is programmed through general fund." Wagner listed likely uses as contact tracing, testing, vaccination, surge capacity and maintaining public-health emergency response capability.

DPH behavioral-health leadership confirmed funding targeted expansion of transitional-age-youth residential treatment capacity. Dr. Hillary Conins said the proposal includes specific funding for 10 transitional-age-youth residential treatment beds and a separate allocation of $1,250,000 for other transitional-age-youth services drawn from Prop C.

Chair Haney noted the committee would finalize details the following Monday but expressed support for the department’s approach to maintain readiness while continuing to seek efficiencies.