Committee forwards ordinance moving $4.75M from salaries to overtime to cover SFPD airport bureau costs

The Budget and Finance Committee on May 15 recommended forwarding to the full Board an ordinance to deappropriate $4,750,000 from permanent salaries and appropriate that amount to overtime in the San Francisco Police Department’s airport bureau for fiscal year 2023–24.

Kimmy Woo, Chief Financial Officer for the SFPD, told the committee the airport bureau used overtime to backfill vacant positions, provide enhanced staffing for special events and maintain uniform presence; the overtime budget exceeded appropriations as of the pay period ending Feb. 2, 2024. Woo said the airport bureau is an enterprise department supported by airport operating funds and that the reallocation will not impact the general fund.

The department’s pie chart of overtime usage showed the top categories: approximately 40% staff backfill, 14% BART high‑visibility uniform assignments, and 13.4% related to APEC. Devin McCauley, citywide budget manager in the Controller’s Office, confirmed the Controller’s Office issued memos and budget status reports flagging projected overtime overspend and that the 6‑ and 9‑month budget status reports reflect the projection.

Supervisor Myrna Melgar and other members raised concerns about officer wellness, retention and the sustainability of repeated overtime obligations. Deputy Chief Daniel Pereira said the department is focused on wellness, managing overtime limits and staffing shortages while balancing federally required assignments and dignitary protections. There were no public speakers. Chair Chan moved the ordinance to the Board with a positive recommendation; the motion passed with three ayes.