Motion establishing priorities for the Board of Supervisors’ Budget and Appropriations Committee, and the process to guide the Board’s deliberations on the City budget, for Fiscal Years (FYs) 2026-2027 and 2027-2028.

This motion establishes priorities and processes for the Board of Supervisors' Budget and Appropriations Committee for the Fiscal Years (FYs) 2026-2027 and 2027-2028. Despite a projected improvement in the budget trajectory, the City faces a potential $1 billion budget deficit over these two fiscal years, exacerbated by potential federal funding cuts to critical services. The Board urges the Mayor and departments to consider guiding principles in their budget proposals, including:

• Chop from the Top: Prioritize eliminating vacant management positions over frontline workers.
• Leverage Grants: Maximize federal and state grant funding and reimbursement rates.
• Review Small Contracts: Consolidate contracts of $1 million or less to increase accountability and reduce administrative costs.
• Reduce Administrative Costs: Eliminate unused cell phone lines, streamline leases, and consolidate equipment contracts.
• Invest in Oversight: Continue funding oversight bodies to reduce wasteful spending and liability.
• Streamline Capital Projects: Prioritize shovel-ready projects and tackle backlogged critical infrastructure before launching new ones.

The Board will also evaluate priorities based on the availability of city services for vulnerable communities, the fiscal impact of fee waivers and tax revenue suspensions, and the utilization of debt and financing policies in correlation with economic growth projections.