Message from Budget Committee Chair: Supervisor Mark Farrell
I’m honored to serve as this year’s Chair of the Budget & Finance Committee. I look forward to a new challenge here at the Board and the opportunity to dig deeper into our City’s fiscal condition and financial well-being. The other members of the committee include Supervisors Mar and Avalos. Supervisors Breed and Wiener will join the committee as temporary members on March 1, 2013, as the committee begins its hearings on the City’s budget.
Throughout our budget season, I will be working with city departments, community members and organizations, and the Mayor’s Budget Office to develop a balanced budget for fiscal years (FY) 2013-14 and 2014-15. In November of 2009, voters passed Proposition A, which amended the City Charter to require the city to transition to a two-year budget cycle for all departments by FY 2012-13. FY 2012-13 was the first year that all City departments submitted a two-year budget for FY 2012-13 and FY 2013-14. The two-year budgets are developed, approved, and implemented pursuant to the same process as the annual budgets. During our budget process this year, we will re-open and potentially revise the FY13-14 budget and adopt a budget for FY14-15.
The Mayor’s Budget Office projects a $129.1 million General Fund shortfall for FY 2013-14 and a $263.2 million shortfall for FY 2014-2015, based on current operations, staffing levels and estimated revenues. This projection may change depending on new information such as state budget impacts or the state of the economy. The Mayor’s Office has requested departments submit a budget with 1.5% reductions for both FY2013-14 and FY 2014-2015. Although the current deficit projections are not as dire as they have been in recent years, we will still be forced to make difficult decisions as we strive to preserve our current level of services while working to produce a balanced budget.
Members of the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor’s Office are currently meeting with members of the public and community organizations to obtain input on budget priorities, concerns and ideas. This website will provide information to guide community members through the budget process, including a schedule of Budget Town Hall meetings we will host throughout the city, public input opportunities at Board of Supervisors’ meetings, department budget presentations, and reports from the Budget & Legislative Analyst’s Office.
I look forward to working with everyone in the coming months. Please do not hesitate to contact my office should you have any questions at 554-7752.
Last updated: 5/13/2013 2:40:42 PM
