The ordinance calls for a special election on June 2, 2026, to ask San Francisco voters if the city can borrow up to $535 million for improvements to public safety facilities, including the Emergency Firefighting Water System and police infrastructure. It also allows landlords to pass on 50% of any resulting property tax increase to residential tenants.
Ordinance calling and providing for a special election to be held in the City and County of San Francisco on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, for the purpose of submitting to San Francisco voters a proposition to incur bonded indebtedness of up to $535,000,000 to finance the construction, acquisition, improvement, rehabilitation, renovation, expansion, and seismic retrofitting of the Emergency Firefighting Water System, Firefighting Facilities and Infrastructure, Police Facilities and Infrastructure, transportation facilities for the Municipal Railway Bus Storage and Maintenance Facility at Potrero Yard, and other Public Safety Facilities and Infrastructure for earthquake and public safety and related costs necessary or convenient for the foregoing purposes (collectively, the “ESER Facilities”); authorizing landlords to pass-through 50% of the resulting property tax increase, if any, to residential tenants in accordance with Chapter 37 of the Administrative Code; finding that the estimated cost of such proposed ESER Facilities is and will be too great to be paid out of the ordinary annual income and revenue of the City and County and will require expenditures greater than the amount allowed therefor by the annual tax levy; reciting the estimated cost of such proposed ESER Facilities; fixing the date of election and the manner of holding such election and the procedure for voting for or against the proposition; fixing the maximum rate of interest on such bonds and providing for the levy and collection of taxes to pay both principal and interest; prescribing notice to be given of such election; finding that portions of the bond proposal are not a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and adopting findings under CEQA for the remaining portion of the bond proposal; finding that the bond proposal is in conformity with the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1(b) and is consistent with the General Plan; consolidating the special election with the general election; establishing the election precincts, voting places, and officers for the election; waiving the word limitation on ballot propositions imposed by Municipal Elections Code, Section 510; complying with the restrictions on the use of bond proceeds specified in Section 53410 of the California Government Code; incorporating the provisions of the Administrative Code, Sections 5.30-5.36; and waiving the time requirements specified in Section 2.34 of the Administrative Code.
How it got here
The legislation for the Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response Bond originated from the need to enhance San Francisco's emergency response capabilities following previous seismic events.
The Board approved the FY 2026-2035 Capital Plan, which included a schedule for planned debt and capital financing, setting the stage for the proposed bond.
The Capital Planning Committee approved an amended FY 2026-2035 Capital Plan, which included the Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response Bond, increasing its amount to $535 million.
Mayor Lurie introduced the ordinance for a special election to incur bonded indebtedness of up to $535 million for the ESER Facilities.
The Department of Human Resources confirmed that the meet and confer requirement was not applicable for the proposed bond legislation.
The Planning Department issued a CEQA determination, finding that portions of the bond proposal were not a project under CEQA, and adopted findings for the remaining portions.
The Budget and Finance Committee recommended the ordinance for the bond election, moving it forward for Board consideration.
The Board of Supervisors finally passed the ordinance calling for the special election on June 2, 2026.
Reconstructed from attached documents & the official record
This resolution updates San Francisco's 10-year capital spending plan for 2026-2035 by changing the government bond program and combining funding for transportation projects. It aims to streamline financial resources for better management of transportation initiatives.
This resolution authorizes the construction and improvement of various public safety facilities, including the Emergency Firefighting Water System and police infrastructure, to enhance earthquake preparedness, with an estimated cost of $535 million. It also allows landlords to pass on 50% of any resulting property tax increase to residential tenants.
This resolution updates San Francisco's 10-year capital spending plan for 2026-2035 by changing the government bond program and combining funding for transportation projects. It aims to streamline financial resources for better management of transportation initiatives.
This resolution authorizes the construction and improvement of various public safety facilities, including the Emergency Firefighting Water System and police infrastructure, to enhance earthquake preparedness, with an estimated cost of $535 million. It also allows landlords to pass on 50% of any resulting property tax increase to residential tenants.