CCSF Faces Structural Budget Squeeze as Revenue Stays Frozen and Costs Climb

City College of San Francisco's governing board spent nearly five hours on Feb. 26 absorbing the reality of a budget boxed in by frozen state revenue and rising costs — while students pleaded for housing help, faculty union leaders warned of a labor fight, and trustees began laying the groundwork for a possible bond measure and sweeping policy overhaul.

• $166.7M revenue ceiling holds firm as health premiums rise up to 10% and utility rates jump 16%, squeezing CCSF's operating budget for FY27

• Faculty union files cease-and-desist over remote work and multi-factor authentication policies rolled out without bargaining

• Students describe evictions and isolation, proposing a housing fund and new engagement technology to build campus belonging

• Board policy committee proposes 16.7% reserve target and raises the question of whether balanced budgets should still be mandatory

• Vice President Zamora floats a future bond measure, citing improved credit rating and extensive deferred maintenance

• Board unanimously honors two campus arts champions with a plaque at the iconic whale sculpture

Why it matters: CCSF's primary revenue stream is capped — and every major expense line is moving in the wrong direction.