$8.5M Zoo Loan Advances Despite Public Outcry Over Mismanagement

San Francisco's Budget and Finance Committee unanimously cleared every item on its agenda Wednesday, but the flashpoint was an $8.5 million loan to a zoo still digging out from an audit that exposed no-bid contracts and weak financial controls — and four public speakers who showed up to say the money shouldn't flow without stronger strings attached.

• $8.5M loan to the SF Zoological Society advances to full Board over unanimous public opposition demanding accountability and transparency reforms

• 66-year parks deal transfers 13.5 acres at Hunters Point Shipyard to city stewardship with zero general fund cost

• Two community newspapers added to official city advertising list, expanding multilingual outreach to Latino and Chinese neighborhoods

• SFO adds cargo airline Airzeta, projecting $15 million in airport revenue through 2033

The committee forwarded an $8.5 million loan to the San Francisco Zoological Society — a deal designed to stabilize an institution flagged by the Budget and Legislative Analyst for financial mismanagement — but not before hearing from every public commenter in opposition.