EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
TO THE SAN FRANCISCO ETHICS COMMISSION
For the Special Meeting of June 23, 2014
1. Budget/Staffing.
The Mayor’s proposed budget was released on June 2, 2014; I appeared before the Board of Supervisors Budget and Finance Committee to represent the Commission on June 16, 2014. Our budget request for FY 2014/15 was for $4,707,326; the funding in the budget is currently $4,524,354, a difference of $182,972. The budget is expected to be finalized in the next several weeks. If the current funding figure for the Ethics Commission remains static, we will continue to have a vacancy in the Enforcement/Investigations Division. Additionally, the increase of $15,750 in the newly renegotiated Netfile contract was offset by a corresponding decrease in our temporary staff funds.
2. Investigation and enforcement program.
As of June 16, 2014, there were 21 pending formal complaints alleging violations within the Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction.
| Category | # of Complaints |
|---|---|
|
Campaign Finance
|
15
|
|
Conflict of Interest
|
2
|
|
Governmental Ethics
|
0
|
|
Lobbyist Ordinance
|
0
|
|
Campaign Consultant Ordinance
|
2
|
|
Sunshine Ordinance
|
2
|
|
TOTAL
|
21
|
3. Campaign finance disclosure program.
- Filing deadline. May 22, 2014 was the filing deadline for the Second Pre-Election statement, which covers the reporting period ending May 17, 2014.
Due to recent changes to the Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance and Ethics Commission regulations, all committees must now file electronic statements and complete electronic signature requirements. Staff has informed treasurers and candidates about the new requirements and has provided detailed instructions. Staff continues to inform and assist committees during this transition.
- Collection of late filing fees and contribution forfeitures. In fiscal year 2013-2014, as of May 31, 2014, the Commission collected a total of $13,736 in campaign finance late fees and forfeitures. Outstanding late fees and forfeitures total $16,359, of which $13,260 is pending at the Bureau of Delinquent Revenues (BDR).
- Status of accounts to San Francisco Bureau of Delinquent Revenues (BDR). The following chart provides details on active accounts referred to BDR as of May 31, 2014:
| # | Committee/ Filer |
ID # | Treasurer or Responsible Officer | Date referral effective | Original amount referred | Last month’s balance | Current balance (Changes are in bold) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Johnny K. Wang
JKW Political Consulting |
100716
|
Johnny K. Wang
|
4/19/11
|
$4,000
|
$4,000
|
$4,000
|
| 2 |
Coalition to Elect Chris Jackson to Community College Board
|
1302351
|
Chris Jackson
|
6/17/11
|
$2,658.90
|
$2,658.90
|
2,658.90
|
| 3 |
Chris Jackson For Community College Board
|
1347066
|
Chris Jackson
|
7/12/13
|
$6,600.94
|
$6,600.94
|
$6,600.94
|
|
TOTAL
|
$13,260
|
4. Revenues report.
For fiscal year 2013-2014, the Commission is budgeted to generate $100,000 in revenues. As of June 18, 2014, the Commission received $87,224 as summarized below. The figure represents collection of approximately 87 percent of expected revenues for fiscal year 2013-2014, with about 90 percent of the fiscal year having elapsed.
Revenues received as of June 18, 2014:
| Source | Budgeted Amount FY 13-14 | Receipts |
|---|---|---|
|
Lobbyist Fees
|
$27,000
|
$60,000 |
|
Other Ethics General
|
$1,000
|
$15 |
|
Campaign Finance Fines
|
$50,000
|
$13,736 |
|
Campaign Consultant Fees
|
$18,000
|
$6,000 |
|
Lobbyist Fines
|
$1,000
|
$200 |
|
Statements of Economic Interests Fines
|
$1,000
|
$1,510 |
|
Other Ethics Fines
|
$1,000
|
$4,713 |
|
Campaign Consultant Fines
|
$1,000
|
$1050 |
|
Unallocated
|
$0
|
$0 |
|
Total
|
$100,000 | $87,224 |
5. Lobbyist program.
As of June 16, 2014, 102 individual lobbyists were registered with the Commission. Total revenues collected to date for the 2013-2014 fiscal year amount to $60,200, with $60,000 in lobbyist registration fees and $200 in fines. The filing deadline for the next lobbyist disclosure statement is July 15, 2014.
6. Campaign Consultant program.
As of June 17, 2014, 22 campaign consultants were registered with the Commission. $6,000 in registration fees and $1,050 in fines and have been collected so far during the 2013-2014 fiscal year. The next campaign consultant quarterly report deadline is Monday, September 15, 2014, covering the reporting period from June 1, 2014 through August 31, 2014. Staff will send reminders to all active campaign consultants before the deadline.
7. Statements of Economic Interests.
On June 3, 2014, a second set of reminder letters were sent to the sixteen (16) individuals who had not yet filed their Annual Form 700 with the Commission. As of June 17, 2014, the number of non-filers had been reduced to eight (8) individuals. Anyone who has still not filed as of June 30, 2014 be referred to the Fair Political Practices Commission for enforcement in early July, 2014.
8. Outreach and Education.
Commission staff hosted representatives from the Fair Political Practices Commission (“FPPC”) and the Franchise Tax Board (“FTB”) on Thursday, June 5, 2014. FPPC staff, including Enforcement Chief Gary Winuk (talking in photo below), made presentations regarding the intake, investigation and prosecution of campaign finance and conflict of interest complaints, while the FTB staff provided insight regarding their audit procedures for campaign committees.
Additionally, the Commission continues to offer trainings on Statements of Incompatible Activities to City departments via web trainings. The following are web video trainings available on the Commission website:
- Department of Building Inspection SIA Training
- Candidates’ Training
- Controller’s Office SIA Training
- Department on the Environment SIA Training
- Governmental Ethics Ordinance Training for City Employees
- Lobbyist Ordinance Training
- Medical Examiner’s Office SIA Training
- Non-Candidate Recipient Committee Training
- Public Utilities Commission SIA Training
- SIA Template Language Training
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
John St. Croix
Executive Director
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