Clean Up City Corruption: Vote Yes On Proposition C

A lesser-recognized aspect of the San Francisco League of Conservation Voters’ mission is to “promote…good government issues and political reforms.” In the interest of good government, we recommend a yes vote on Proposition C.

Prop C amends the City Charter to establish the position of Inspector General in the Audit Division of the Controller’s Office. It was placed on the ballot with the unanimous vote of all 11 supervisors and needs 50% +1 affirmative votes to pass. 

The Controller’s Office is already in charge of investigating financial impropriety by city contractors and departments and receiving whistleblower complaints, but there is no dedicated role within the Controller’s Office responsible for these functions. As the SF Chronicle notes, other functions, such as processing payroll, managing city bonds, and monitoring the budget, take priority.

Under Prop C, the Controller names the Inspector General, subject to approval by the Mayor and Board of Supervisors, and may also remove the Inspector General. We wish there were more limitations on removal, as “The Controller may terminate the Inspector General in the Controller’s discretion. The Inspector General shall be exempt from civil service selection, appointment, and removal procedures.” This presents the problem, though unlikely, that if the Inspector General were to review the Controller’s office they can be removed by the person they are investigating. 

Prop C adds enforcement authority such as issuing subpoenas, executing search warrants, and holding public hearings. It expands the definition of whistleblower, protecting more people in a position to see and report waste, fraud or abuse.

This measure adds the Inspector General role and operations to the functions covered under the existing budget formula for the Controller’s Office. It does not change how the Controller’s Office is funded, nor does it require additional funds. 

By creating this role, San Francisco would join Albuquerque, Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia and other cities, counties, and agencies around the US that have inspectors general. 

There is an unrelated Inspector General role within the SF Sheriff's Department, called the Office of Inspector General, which investigates matters related to employees of the Sheriff’s Department. Prop C renames this role to clarify its responsibilities, moves it from the SF Sheriff’s Department to the Sheriff’s Department Oversight Board, and adds enforcement authority such as the ability to hold hearings and issue subpoenas.

We encourage you to vote yes on Proposition C!