San Francisco may be reducing or consolidating the number of its boards and commissions following a report examining their efficiency and necessity.
The San Francisco Commission Streamlining Task Force is recommending that of the city eliminate or consolidate more than 40% of its boards and committees, according to the task force’s final report that was submitted Jan. 30.
Of the city’s 152 boards and committees, the number could be cut down to 86.
“This report is the result of a thoughtful and deliberative process to tackle complex questions about commissions and other public bodies — asking whether we can improve our government to be as effective and responsive as possible,” said Controller Greg Wagner in a statement.
The purpose of eliminating or consolidating committees, according to the task force, is to make government easier to understand, use resources more efficiently, and better coordinate public input instead of diffusing input across 152 bodies.
Of the 152 bodies, 115 are active. Others have not met in several years, according to the task force.
After a year of meetings and more than 20 hours of public comment, the task force compiled a list of recommendations of which ones to cut.
In its report, the task force is recommending abolishing 60 committees across each policy area, mostly because they are either inactive or their functions overlap with other bodies or city staff.
Proposed for elimination
The task force is proposing to cut 14 committees that fall under the policy area of General Administration and Finance, 19 from Housing and Economic Development, 12 from Public Health and Well Being, 3 from Public Safety, and 17 from Infrastructure, Climate and Mobility.
The city’s boards and committees are where residents volunteer to help advise elected officials and city staff, shape policy decisions and provide oversight of government functions.
“At its best, the commission system helps ensure that San Francisco’s government remains transparent, accountable, and reflective of the diverse communities it serves,” the final report reads. “At its worst, the commission system adds layers of bureaucracy that dilute public input, obscure lines of accountability, make government less transparent, and result in duplicative or ineffective processes.”
“At its worst, the commission system adds layers of bureaucracy that dilute public input, obscure lines of accountability, make government less transparent, and result in duplicative or ineffective processes.”
Commission Streamlining Task Force Final Report
As part of Measure E, which voters approved in November 2024, the Commission Streamlining Task Force was established to evaluate the efficacy and necessity of each of the city’s 152 commissions and take actions accordingly, such as eliminating, consolidating, or modifying the functions of certain bodies.
The final report will be reviewed by the Board of Supervisors and Mayor Daniel Lurie. The City Attorney’s Office will craft legislation reflecting the task force’s recommendations by March 1. A public hearing on the recommendations must be held by the board by April 1.
“I appreciate the many hours of research, collaboration, and public participation that went into this report,” said City Attorney David Chiu in a statement. “I am hopeful this report will inform legislative changes that will make San Francisco government more effective in ensuring San Franciscans get what they deserve from their City.”
