San Francisco politics just got spicier than a Mission District hot sauce competition. Mayor Daniel Lurie is facing major heat for awarding a multi-million dollar tech contract to his donor buddies, completely ignoring city staff recommendations.

In a classic Silicon Valley power move, Lurie’s administration selected OpenGov, a software company with deep connections to his campaign donors, to overhaul the city’s permit system. The kicker? They’re charging a whopping $1.9 million annually when a competitor offered the same service for just $528,000.

Follow the Money Trail

The contract’s backstory reads like a tech bro networking nightmare. OpenGov’s executives have donated tens of thousands to Lurie’s campaign and nonprofit, with advisory board member Katherine August-deWilde dropping $160,000 to support his political aspirations. Even more eyebrow-raising, the company was co-founded by Palantir’s Joe Lonsdale and features Trump-supporting Marc Andreessen on its board.

Staff Recommendations Ignored

City Hall staff weren’t shy about their preferences. They rated the cheaper Clariti software significantly higher, giving it a 4.42 out of 5 compared to OpenGov’s measly 2.88. Yet Lurie’s team pushed forward with the pricier option, raising serious questions about potential conflicts of interest.

The Tech Bro Takeover

Supervisor Jackie Fielder didn’t mince words, calling out the “billionaire tech bros” getting preferential treatment. Meanwhile, city employees are bracing for what they see as an inevitable technological train wreck, with morale plummeting faster than San Francisco’s housing prices.

Just another day in the City by the Bay, where tech connections matter more than cost-effectiveness and staff expertise. Stay tuned, San Francisco - this story is far from over.