San Francisco County Grand Jury
• 2024-2025
Commission Impossible - Full ReportThis report details the Jury's research, investigation, findings, and recommendations.PublishedJune 20, 2024
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 9 findings
F1
No up-to-date, accurate list of active appointed bodies exists, which impedes government transparency Mostcitydepartmentsareoverseenoradvisedbyoneormorecommissionsandboards.Yet thereisnoreadilyavailable,reliablewaytoidentifyallcurrentlyactivebodies.
Related Recommendations (2)
R8
1,R9.1,R9.2,R9.3 CityAttorney F1,F5 R1.1,R1.3,R1.4,R5.2 TheJuryrequestsresponsestothefindingsandrecommendationswithin60calendardays. Requestedresponse Respondent Findings Recommendations Controller’sOffice F2 R2.7
R9
1,R9.2,R9.3 BoardofSupervisors F1,F2,F3,F4,F5,F6, R1.2,R1.3,R2.1.R2.2,R2.3,R2.4,
F2
It’s difficult to evaluate appointed bodies, because no authority systematically reviews their performance
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
1,R9.2,R9.3 BoardofSupervisors F1,F2,F3,F4,F5,F6, R1.2,R1.3,R2.1.R2.2,R2.3,R2.4,
F3
The high number of advisory bodies creates unnecessary administrative burdens Thesheernumberofadvisorybodiesresultsinredundancy(multiplebodieswithasimilar purview)andadministrativeburdensforcitydepartmentsinstaffingthebodiesandinpreparing formeetings.
Related Recommendations (2)
R4
3,R5.1,R6.1,R7.1,R7.2,R8.1
R9
1,R9.2,R9.3 BoardofSupervisors F1,F2,F3,F4,F5,F6, R1.2,R1.3,R2.1.R2.2,R2.3,R2.4,
F4
Unfilled seats can result in canceled meetings, which imposes extra costs and delays decision-making Theprimaryreasonforcanceledmeetingsisthelackofaquorum.Theprocessofrecruiting andappointingmembersisatime-intensive,significantcostofcommissionsandboards. Reducingthesizeofcommissionsandboardsandlimitingspecificmemberrequirementscan reducethetimeandcostofappointingmembers.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
1,R9.2,R9.3 BoardofSupervisors F1,F2,F3,F4,F5,F6, R1.2,R1.3,R2.1.R2.2,R2.3,R2.4,
F5
Most appointed bodies have no sunset dates, which affects their relevance and accountability Morethan75percentofadvisorybodiesdonothavesunsetdatesdespitetheguidanceinthe BoardofSupervisors’RulesofOrderthatalladvisorybodieshaveasunsetdatethatdoesnot exceedthreeyears.
Related Recommendations (2)
R8
1,R9.1,R9.2,R9.3 CityAttorney F1,F5 R1.1,R1.3,R1.4,R5.2 TheJuryrequestsresponsestothefindingsandrecommendationswithin60calendardays. Requestedresponse Respondent Findings Recommendations Controller’sOffice F2 R2.7
R9
1,R9.2,R9.3 BoardofSupervisors F1,F2,F3,F4,F5,F6, R1.2,R1.3,R2.1.R2.2,R2.3,R2.4,
F6
The descriptors for commissions are varied and confusing
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
1,R9.2,R9.3 BoardofSupervisors F1,F2,F3,F4,F5,F6, R1.2,R1.3,R2.1.R2.2,R2.3,R2.4,
F7
Annual reports vary in content and availability, which greatly undermines their value Therequirementsforannualreportsthatcommissionsandotherappointedbodiesmustsubmit arevague;theannualreportsvarygreatlyinsubstanceandquality;andtheyaredifficulttofind, allofwhichlimitstheirvalue.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The appointment process lacks visibility into appointee political activities Thecurrentprocessforappointingboardandcommission(includingadvisorybody)members hasminimalrequirementsforinformationrelevanttotheappointee’sactivitiesand qualifications,especiallypoliticalactivity.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
A lack of training and performance reviews hampers commissioner effectiveness
No recommendations for this finding