To: Members of the Ethics Commission
From: LeeAnn Pelham, Executive Director
Subject: Agenda Item 8 – Executive Director’s Report for the January 2019 Commission Meeting
Summary:
This report provides various programmatic and operational highlights to date since the last monthly Executive Director’s Report.
Action Requested:
No action is required by the Commission, as this item is for informational purposes only.
Hiring Update
We have continued to make progress on our hiring plan for each of the five positions in recruitment at the Commission. The oral interview phase for each position has been initiated and at this point we are on track to complete the selection process within the next month for the following positions: Principal Program Manager for Engagement & Compliance; Principal Program Manager for Audits; Senior Program Administrator for Engagement & Compliance; Senior Investigative Analyst; and Policy Analyst. We also are working to hire a temporary assistant in the Engagement & Compliance division to support our day-to-day operations for the rest of the fiscal year. I look forward to having more details to report next month.
Budget Update
Last month, Mayor Breed released budget instructions for fiscal years 19-20 and 20-21 to all City departments. Included in those communications were requests for departments to identify cuts of two percent in FY20 and four percent in FY21. For the Ethics Commission, these targeted amounts would total roughly $84,000 in year 1 and roughly $167,000 in year 2. In addition, departments were instructed to prepare a contingency plan of an additional one percent cut in FY20 and two percent in FY21. These further contingency cuts would translate to approximately $42,000 and $84,000, respectively. Priorities identified in the Mayor’s budget instructions include ensuring accountability for services provided and promoting equitable outcomes throughout the City.
Deputy Director Gayathri Thaikkendiyil and I had an introductory meeting with our newly assigned Mayor’s Office Budget Analyst on January 8. We provided background on the Commission’s programs and operations, the hiring plan nearing completion, and ongoing work to maximize the effectiveness and impact of our operations and programs, including through progress indicators to ensure transparency in our work and accountability for our performance.
Departmental budget submissions are due to the Mayor’s Office on February 21, 2019. Further details about our departmental submission will be provided for the Commission’s information at the next regularly scheduled meeting on February 15.
Revenues Report
Table 1 shows the revenues received by the Commission during the fiscal year that began on July 1, 2018, as of January 11, 2019.
Table 1- Summary of FY 2018-19 Revenues
| Source | FY 18-19 Budgeted Amount | FY 18-19 Receipts as of Jan. 11, 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Lobbyist Registration Fees | $85,000 | $35,250 |
| Lobbyists Fines | $2000 | $650 |
| Campaign Consultants Fees | $7,000 | $6,600 |
| Contact Lobbyist and Other e.g., copies made by public | $2,450 | $2,513 |
| Statement of Economic Interests Filings-Late Fees | $1,250 | $100 |
| Campaign Consultant Fines | $2,000 | $750 |
| Campaign Finance Fines (includes late fees and forfeitures) | $50,000 | $34,062 |
| Ethics, Other/ Administrative Fines Levied by the Commission | $7,500 | $24,330 |
| Major Developer Fee | $0 | $4,500 |
| Total | $157,200 | $108,755 |
I look forward to answering any questions you might have at the upcoming Commission meeting.