SEC. 9.113.5. RAINY DAY RESERVES.

§ 9.113.5

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In plain language

San Francisco maintains two rainy day reserves (one for the City, one for schools) funded by allocating a portion of revenue growth above five percent, with rules governing when funds can be deposited and withdrawn based on revenue projections and inflation.

San Francisco sets aside money in two savings accounts: one for the City and one for the school district. When the City expects to collect significantly more tax revenue than the previous year (more than 5 percent growth), half of the extra money goes into these rainy day reserves, while the rest goes to one-time projects or general city needs. The City's reserve cannot get bigger than 10 percent of the city's annual revenue. If the city expects to collect less money than before, it can withdraw up to half of what's in the City reserve to cover the shortfall. The school district can similarly draw from its reserve if it faces budget problems. At the end of each year, the actual numbers are checked against the projections and the reserves are adjusted.

  • Complex:The section contains multiple conditional formulas, cross-references between subsections, and layered triggers that interact with inflation and prior-year calculations, making it difficult to follow the full mechanics.
  • Controversial:Rainy day reserves involve decisions about how to use public revenue surpluses and when to tap reserves during downturns—subjects where San Franciscans have differing views on fiscal conservatism versus spending priorities.

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Official text

(Added November 2003; amended November 2009; November 2014)

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