2023–2024 San Francisco Civil Grand Jury Report Identifies
the Need to Improve Budget Oversight, Increase Interdepartmental
Cooperation and Provide Clarity on the Government's Function and
Structure
SAN
FRANCISCO, June 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- San Francisco city departments operate within
vertically structured silos that obstruct the effective delivery of
critical city services, a new San Francisco Civil Grand Jury report
has found. The city needs governance approaches that encourage
interdepartmental cooperation.
A yearlong Jury investigation included interviews with over 50
current and former city officials and employees as well as
nationally recognized government experts and legal scholars. The
investigation uncovered persistent challenges that have affected
San Francisco's government for
decades.
"We focused on the highest levels of its governance structure
including the Office of the Mayor, the Board of Supervisors, the
Office of the Controller and selected departments," said
Paul Dravis, the investigation's
chair. "Our investigation does not reflect upon current city
officials or staff, but on the processes, structures and
constraints of city government."
The Jury found
- The city's budget oversight responsibilities need to be
reviewed to improve their effectiveness;
- The duties of the City Administrator are ambiguously defined
and need more clarity;
- Siloed departmental structures hinder the effective delivery of
critical city services;
- The city's incomplete official organization charts make it
difficult for residents, businesses and other stakeholders to
understand the function and structure of government entities;
- Voter-mandated spending significantly affects the city's
ability to effectively manage its budget.
The report additionally identified ways that City Hall continues
to pursue civic innovation through partnerships with organizations
such as the California Policy Lab, Harvard Kennedy Government
Performance Lab and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
"Our Jury concluded that despite bureaucratic obstacles, an
active legislative culture and 'non-binding' policies, City Hall
continues to pursue civic innovation to enhance its effectiveness,"
Dravis said. "However, addressing its many challenges will likely
require charter reforms and operational changes."
To read the full report, please visit
https://www.sf.gov/resource/2024/civil-grand-jury-reports-2023-2024.
About the San Francisco Civil Grand Jury
The Superior Court selects 19 San Franciscans to serve year-long
terms as Civil Grand Jurors. The Jury has the authority to
investigate City and County government by reviewing documents and
interviewing public officials and private individuals. At the end
of its inquiries, the Jury issues reports of its findings and
recommendations. Agencies identified in the report must respond to
these findings and recommendations within either 60 or 90 days, and
the Board of Supervisors conducts a public hearing on each Civil
Grand Jury report after those responses are submitted. For more
information, visit the San Francisco Civil Grand Jury website:
https://civilgrandjury.sfgov.org.
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SOURCE San Francisco Civil Grand Jury