Manny’s: Where Does the Money Go w/ City Controller Ben Rosenfield

San Francisco is unique because not only is it a city, but also a county. This means the budget that we have is quite large, like $14 billion large.

But where is the money going?

Streets aren’t getting paved

Muni is struggling to keep bus lines operating

Our streets aren’t getting cleaned

With a budget this large, it is about time we spend some time breaking it down and seeing where it goes.

Join us at Manny’s as we have City Controller Ben Rosenfield walk us through the most recent budget for the city and county of San Francisco. He will spend the first half breaking down the budget and then we will open it up for audience Q&A so come ready with your questions!

Manny’s never turns away people due to lack of funds. If you need a complimentary ticket, please email the word “grapefruit” and the title of the event to angelina@welcometomannys.com

Want to support community members? By purchasing a “Pay It Forward” ticket you will allow us to provide free tickets to those who may not be able to afford entry otherwise and ensure we can create a diverse socio-economic audience that represents San Francisco.

About Ben Rosenfield:

Ben Rosenfield has served as City Controller since his appointment to a 10-year term in 2008. He was re-appointed to a second term in 2018.

Ben began his career with the City in 1997 as an analyst in the Mayor’s Budget Office and project leader in the Controller’s Office. For the next four years, he was the Budget Director for Mayors Willie Brown and Gavin Newsom. Just before being appointed as Controller, Ben served as the Deputy City Administrator and was charged with the preparation of the City’s first 10-year capital plan and oversight of the implementation of the City’s 311 non-emergency customer service center.

Now, as the City’s chief financial officer and auditor, Controller Rosenfield, with the support of his team, is responsible for governance and conduct of key aspects of the City’s financial operations, including processing payroll for all City employees, managing the City’s bonds and debt portfolio, and processing and monitoring the City’s budget. His office is also responsible for providing policy and economic analyses, estimating the cost of ballot measures, administering the City’s Whistleblower Program, and directing performance and financial audits of City activities.

In his time as Controller, Ben has worked with policymakers on a number of initiatives. He has supported the development of voter-approved ballot measures to revise the City’s financial planning processes, shift the City to a two-year budget, and better manage retiree pension and healthcare costs. He supervised the development of complex financings required to expand the City’s Moscone Convention Center, complete construction of the Transbay Transit Center, and restructure the Asian Art Museum’s strained debt portfolio. During his term, the Controller’s Office has updated the City’s legacy payroll and benefits systems, modernized the City’s financial and procurement systems, and implemented a new property tax system.

More recently, he and his office have been key to the City’s response to the public health emergency, including supporting the development of budgets during economically challenging times; managing the City’s emergency financial and cost recovery operations; and providing consulting and staffing to support emergency planning, housing, testing, and other emergency services. And, together with the City Attorney’s office, he is leading a series of public integrity reviews and helping to reform inadequate policies and procedures that were exposed by the federal criminal charges against Mohammed Nuru.