Committee approves maintenance budgets for Board of Appeals and OZA; People's Counsel funding discussed but likely symbolic this year

The Planning, Housing and Parks Committee approved proposed operating budgets for two quasi‑judicial offices and discussed restoring funding for the Office of the People's Counsel.

Board of Appeals: Chair Karen Hines and Executive Director Barbara Jay presented a maintenance‑level budget. Council staff reported a recommended increase of $17,796 (2.93%) from FY26; the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice (ORESJ) gave the board an 8/11 commitment‑level rating. The committee approved the executive recommendation "as recommended" by voice vote.

Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings (OZA): Director Kandikila Sokoni presented a same‑service budget with a small reduction (a prior one‑time temporary item removed). Staff noted an ORESJ commitment level rating of 7/11 for OZA. The committee approved the executive recommendation, again without objection.

Office of the People's Counsel: staff presented a recommendation to restore funding for an Office of the People's Counsel after the office had been defunded in 2010. The staff breakdown in committee noted roughly $33,000 in operating costs and two positions (a director and an administrative assistant) and indicated a six‑month lapse in the FY27 request. Committee members and staff said the restoration is important symbolically and practically but that it is unlikely to come off the reconciliation list this budget cycle.

Next steps: approvals for the Board of Appeals and OZA will move forward as recommended; the People's Counsel restoration will remain under discussion and subject to reconciliation‑list decisions.