San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria released a proposed $4.89 billion budget for the Fiscal Year 2023, that aims to rebuild San Diego, recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and invest in long-term projects that improve the quality of life for residents, and its employees.
The budget focuses on Infrastructure repairs, increased pay for first responders, and city employees, improving city services, enforcement of new regulations, and reducing homelessness. The city's Department of Finance projects total general fund revenues to be up to $143.3 million over the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.
“Budgets are statements of priorities, and this plan prioritizes a healthy fiscal future for San Diego with investments that protect and enhance the quality of life for all of our residents,'' Gloria said at a news conference on Friday, where he revealed the proposed budget. “We're making sure we have the personnel to perform the work to address the backlog of repairs to streets, park facilities, and sidewalks, and to fix the storm drains that keep our beaches and waterways clean.
“We're playing the long game with this budget — thinking about how this year's spending decisions affect San Diego's financial position five years from now and making sure our city stays on a course toward true stability in every respect,'' he said.
The budget will use $123.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds this year to replace lost revenue. Gloria said the remaining balance of $55.8 million was held back for next year.
The proposal will invest in the city’s infrastructure by bringing stormwater into compliance with more stringent state water-quality laws and repairing failing or damaged storm drains and pumps that prevent flooding and water pollution.
The city will add $8 million to improve streets with upgraded traffic signals, sidewalks and curb ramps, traffic management, tree maintenance, graffiti, and weed removal, as well as more than $77 million to resurface streets.
This is an increase of $27.6 million over the current budget.
Parks and recreation services will receive an additional $4.3 million over the prior year's budget for the recruitment and training of workers. This investment aims to address high staff turnover and vacancies by converting hourly staff to salaried positions.
“San Diegans in every neighborhood should expect and receive quality roads, parks, and libraries,'' said City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera. "Unfortunately, years of neglect and shortsighted decisions have left many communities lacking what they need.”
Just over $6 million was added to the budget for the implementation and enforcement of short-term rentals and sidewalk vending.
The city will allocate $63.3 million toward homelessness services, with two-thirds of that
sum coming from state and federal grant programs.
According to a statement from the Mayor’s office, the city added $4.3 million to existing efforts to address homeless encampments in neighborhoods. The budget will continue to address homelessness, with an additional $13.6 million to increase shelter capacity, services, and coordinated street outreach.
The proposed budget anticipates salary increases, and the city undergoes contract negotiations with the public safety bargaining units.
A formal presentation of the proposed budget to the City Council will take place Monday. Public hearings on the proposed budget will take place on May 17.
The final consideration will take place in mid-June.
