By Macy Meinhardt, V&V Staff Writer, CA Local News Fellow
Mayor Todd Gloria’s revised budget is out, and the difference from his draft budget proposal is minimal. While restorations have been given to police budgets and the humane society services, unpopular cuts to neighborhood services, including library and recreation center hours, remain.
“I’ll cut to the chase—San Diego’s financial picture has not improved since I released the draft budget last month, revenues are down, expenses are up and economic volatility that cities are facing across this country continues to intensify,” said Mayor Gloria during a May 14 press conference.
Staring down a $258 million budget deficit, Gloria has proposed a series of service cuts, position eliminations, and new fee implementations to keep the city afloat in 2026.
Targeted revenue sources include a new monthly trash-collection fee of up to $47 for over 200,000 single-family households, as well as expanded paid-parking and enforcement. The parking plan would build on recent measures, such as doubling parking-meter rates citywide and eliminating free parking on Sundays, and could extend paid parking to public spaces like Balboa Park.
The trash fee and paid parking ordinance would need to be voted on by council in order to go into effect.
Additionally, starting July 1, all city libraries are proposed to close on Sundays and Mondays, and recreation center hours will be reduced from 60 to 40 hours per week.
Altogether, reductions across departments are estimated to generate $175.9 million in savings.
Mayor Gloria’s budget has drawn pushback from both the public and city councilmembers. This week, the revised budget will return to the council for a public hearing. While the mayor signs the final budget, the council can amend or override his proposals with a two-thirds vote, the mayor then will have the option to accept or veto before it is officially signed on June 10.
Reinforcing Public Safety
Above all else, the mayor contended that public safety will continue to be top priority for his administration, as mandated by the city charter.
“I recognize that some councilmembers want to reduce public safety spending, but the second that they need someone to come to their door in a moment of emergency, and call 911–they’re gonna expect them to show up,” said Gloria.
While the draft budget included a $29.3 million increase to SDPD budgets, it also proposed consolidating police patrols, including the closure of the Northwestern Police station located in Carmel Valley.
Serving a 40-mile radius, the region would lose 22 sworn police officers, 3 supervisors, and 2 detectives.
This prompted immense backlash from North County residents, who argued that closing the station would exacerbate slow response times and put the safety of families and civilians at risk.
As a result, $773,529 in funding was restored in the May 14 budget revision.
The mayor also walked back on controversial cuts towards the Humane Society, restoring $1.5 million in what originally would be a $3.5 million reduction. Funding will go towards a new roof at the Linda Vista building.
Push-Pull of Priorities
Gloria contends the budget adjustment is in response to feedback from the public and the city council during the budget review hearings.
However, with little adjustment made to services such as libraries and recreation hours, the revised budget continues to draw criticsm on its lack of equitablity for residents in lower-income communities.
“Mayor Gloria’s revised budget continues a troubling trend of overlooking communities that have long been neglected. The choice to prioritize spending on a bloated communications budget and pet projects over essential neighborhood investments like library hours and recreation services is unacceptable,” said District 9 Councilmember Sean Elo Rivera in a response statement.
Many have argued that accessible spaces like libraries and recreation centers are the backbone of a healthy and equitable society.
“How does this reflect our priorities? This is not just a budget issue, it’s a value issue. Parks and libraries are not luxuries. There are safe spaces for children growing up in communities that have been overlooked and neglected for far too long. These are places where kids play, learn and grow,” said District 9 resident, TK.
The San Diego Library has already faced the loss of federal and state funding for library programming. Per the revised budget, $8 million is proposed to be reduced for local libraries.
“We hoped to see the City support its Libraries rather than cut their hours,” said Patrick Stewart, CEO of the San Diego Library Foundation.
The reduction would impact the 37 library branches hours and staffing, however library officals maintain that key programming will remain during the Tuesday-Saturday operaitng schedule.
Moving forward, “we urge our city leaders to commit to building sustainable revenue streams that will safeguard the San Diego Public Library, a cornerstone of the City’s public services,” said The Library Foundation in an online statement.
Funding for the parks and recreation department is proposed to be reduced by $5.5 million. This is reported to eliminate 43 assistant rec director positions across the city, disrupting the ability to provide free programs like Parks after Dark and Come Play Outside. These programs were specifically targeted for lower-income districts, including Districts 3, 4, and 9.
“Equity means recongnizing that some communities need more–not less,” said Rosa Olascoaga, Vice President of Community Development & Policy City Heights CDC.
The revised budget will be presented to the council and the community during the week of May 19. City council modifications will be released on June 6, and the final adoption of the budget is scheduled for June 10.