San Francisco voters were asked to consider 13 propositions for the Nov. 3 election.
San Francisco voters were asked to consider 13 propositions for the Nov. 3 election. The topics were widespread and touched on mental health and homeless services funding, independent oversight of the Sheriff’s Department and restructuring of the Department of Sanitation.
Editor’s note: This story will be updated as new information becomes available.
All totals as of 12:03 a.m., 100 percent reporting.
The $487.5 million general bond would be used for mental health and homeless housing projects — including community housing, shelters and mental health facilities. The funds would also used to revitalize The City’s parks and open spaces, as well as improve streets, plazas and curb ramps. Requires a two-thirds vote.
The measure would create the Department of Sanitization and Streets and commission to oversee duties that keep streets and sidewalks clean, maintain trash cans, remove graffiti and dumped items as well as maintaining city buildings, public restrooms and street trees.
Currently, the Department of Public Works is in charge of those duties. In addition to the new department and commission, the measure would create a commission to oversee Public Works.
The measure would remove a requirement in The City’s Charter that mandates individuals serving on a city board, commission or advisory body must be a U.S. citizen and a registered voter. Age requirements would still apply.
Proposition D would create the Sheriff’s Department Office of Inspector General and Oversight Board. The inspector general’s office would be independent of the Sheriff’s Department and would investigate complaints involving Sheriff’s Department employees and investigate in-custody deaths.
The new office would make recommendations for disciplinary action against employees determined to have violated a law or department policy.
Additionally, the office would make recommendations to improve the department’s use-of-force policy and monitor operations.
A charter amendment would change requirements for determining the minimum number of police officers and a minimum number of officers for neighborhood policing and patrols. Instead, the police chief would provide a report to the Police Commission and based on that, the Commission would then hold a public hearing.
The City Charter has since 1994 required a minimum of 1,971 police officers on duty.
Proposition F would eliminate the payroll expense tax, while permanently increasing some registration fees and annual gross receipts tax rates, with exemptions for businesses with less than $2 million in gross receipts.
The proposition would amend the City Charter to allow San Francisco residents of valid citizenship status and of at least 16 years old to vote on local ballot measures and candidates. The proposition essentially reduces the voting age requirement from 18 for local elections.
Proposition H would change the planning code to expedite the process in the way businesses obtain permits in The City in order to operate. If passed, it would expand outdoor use of certain businesses, eliminate the public notification process permits, speed up the permit inspection and approval process requiring city departments to coordinate and approve most permits within 30 days.
If passed by voters, Proposition I would increase the transfer of tax on sales of commercial and real estate properties of at least $10 million. Properties sold for between $10 and $25 million would see the tax rate jump from 2.75 percent to 5.5 percent. The tax rate on properties sold for $25 million or more would rise from 3 percent to 6 percent. Revenue generated by the increased tax rates would be applied to The City’s general fund. Supervisors approved a resolution to apply some funds to landlords who have provided rent relief for tenants.
Voters in 2018 approved a tax measure with the intention to increase teacher salaries in the San Francisco Unified School District, but The City has yet to release the money, though it has been collecting the funds. The measure is tied up in court as opponents argue that a simple majority was not sufficient to pass the measure.
Proposition J, the $288 annual parcel tax rate, would replace the 2018 measure. Instead of a simple majority, Prop. J would require a two-thirds vote for approval. While the parcel tax rate is lower compared to the 2018 measure ($320), the new proposition is estimated to generate $48.1 million annually.
California law requires a public approval when cities develop, acquire or build low-income rental housing units. The same is true for nonprofits and developers who want to develop, acquire or build low-income units with financial assistance from public agencies. Proposition K would allow The City to own, develop, construct, acquire or rehabilitate up to 10,000 low-income rental housing units.
Proposition L would apply a permanent tax to businesses where the highest paid employee earns more than 100 times the median income of their employees who work in The City. In that case, the additional tax rate would range between 0.1 percent and 0.6 percent of its gross receipts or 0.4 percent to 2.4 percent of its payroll expense.
Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.
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