6 Comments
User's avatar
Nicholas Weininger's avatar

One hears a lot about "addbacks"-- are these all just part of the Budget Day negotiation process?

Michael Adams's avatar

Indeed! Addbacks are part of the Budget Day scramble. The Standard has a good article on the process: https://sfstandard.com/2022/07/05/how-the-sausage-gets-made-in-sfs-budget-nonprofits-jockey-for-add-backs/

El Monstro's avatar

How do you get on one of these citizen committees?

Michael Adams's avatar

Good question! Nicholas's answer is right, but I'll also add that you can check out the list of commissions and advisory bodies you might be able to join here: sfgov.civlab.org. Each entity shows the appointing authorities and has a link to the legal source where you can learn more about the requirements.

Depending on who appoints the position, you can submit an application via the Mayor (https://www.sf.gov/submit-your-name-mayoral-appointment) or the Board (https://sfbos.org/sites/default/files/vacancy_application.pdf).

Nicholas Weininger's avatar

AIUI each oversight commission is established by a separate ordinance which lays out the particular qualifications and appointment processes for that commission. Most have some combination of mayoral appointees, BoS appointees, and mayoral appointees who must be confirmed by the BoS; and most have (often quite detailed) requirements that seat 1 must be held by a person who has served in such and such a professional capacity, seat 2 must be a person with such and such domain expertise, etc.

Laurie Adams's avatar

Thanks for breaking down a complex process!