S.F. Board of Supervisors boosts Lurie’s powers on fentanyl, homelessness

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On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors passed Mayor Daniel Lurie’s long-promised fentanyl ordinance. The mayor’s first piece of legislation gives him more power in doling out contracts to address the city’s drug, mental health and homelessness crises, while reducing the supervisors’ oversight.

The board passed the ordinance 10-1; only District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton voted against it. 

The passage of his first piece of legislation “gives us the tools to treat this crisis with the urgency it demands,” Lurie said in a press statement. “And with our partners on the board, that’s exactly what we will do.” 

The Board of Supervisors does not have oversight regarding contracts of less than $10 million. With the passage of Lurie’s ordinance, the threshold for contracts pertaining to “homelessness, drug overdoses and substance use disorders, mental health needs, integrated health needs, and public safety hiring” is raised to $25 million until January 2026. 

The Board of Supervisors will have a 45-day “shot clock” to review contracts between $10 million and $25 million. Contracts greater than $25 million will be subject to normal review from the Board of Supervisors.

The initial version of Lurie’s legislation did not call for Board oversight whatsoever; the 45-day “shot clock” was requested by Board President Rafael Mandelman. Pushback from Supervisor Connie Chan reduced the lifespan of the legislation from five years to one year, and the monetary ceiling from $50 million to $25 million. 

The ordinance also eases the requirements around “behested payments,” making it easier for Lurie and nine selected officials to solicit money from private donors for six months. An amendment from Supervisor Jackie Fielder lowered the number of people entitled to ask for donations, which was originally around 180.  

Lurie created the ordinance in line with his campaign promises to declare a “fentanyl state of emergency” on “day one,” which, technically, he could not do. Instead, he moved to expand his powers via legislation, and six supervisors cosponsored the ordinance: Mandelman, Matt Dorsey, Joel Engardio, Stephen Sherrill, Bilal Mahmood and Danny Sauter. 

While the ordinance removes certain bureaucratic hurdles, it does not address how Lurie’s administration will directly address the fentanyl crisis. 

Walton previously expressed concern about the ordinance, in an interview with Mission Local. “Right now, we’re being asked to waive policies and we’re being asked to provide emergency powers without knowing what the plan is.”

Others have expressed confidence in Lurie’s administration. 

“With my vote today, I am putting a great deal of faith in Mayor Lurie’s administration to utilize these extraordinary powers to carry out the will of the voters, and provide housing, shelter, and treatment to our most vulnerable, and to do so without repeating the corrupt practices that have tainted the public’s trust in city government for years,” District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder said. “I also eagerly await comprehensive details about the mayor’s plans to stand up and staff the hundreds of treatment beds that the City needs to make lasting progress on this issue.” 

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated how much time the Board of Supervisors would have to review contracts over $25 million.