San Diego City Council Budget Review Committee Meeting - May 4, 2016

The Budget Review Committee of the San Diego City Council held its first meeting of the fiscal year 2017 budget cycle on May 4, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. Chair Todd Gloria presided with a quorum present (Committee Members Leitner, Cole, Sherman, and Alvarez; Emerald absent). The meeting featured opening remarks from the Chair, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Independent Budget Analyst (IBA), followed by departmental reviews of the Police, Fire-Rescue, and Office of Homeland Security budgets. Public comment was heard on non-agenda items and during the department reviews. No formal votes were taken; the committee will continue hearings and make final budget decisions on June 13, 2016.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Stump (City Heights): Inquired about the zoo maintenance fund not appearing on the agenda and requested staff follow-up. Also urged the city to charge Zoo Global for police and fire services, noting it has 5 million visitors annually and significant reserves.
• David Ross: Criticized the installation of jagged rocks under the Imperial Street and Commercial Street underpasses as inhumane and dangerous, calling it a misuse of $57,000 in budget funds.
• John Stump (on Police budget): Noted that the zoo, unlike Petco Park and Qualcomm Stadium, is not charged for police services, suggesting a disparity.
• Ed Harris (former councilmember, lifeguard): Thanked the committee for prior lifeguard funding but warned of a looming attrition crisis in the boating safety unit (90% expected to retire in five years) and the lack of a plan to address it. Also highlighted a 7-minute 911 delay on the weekend, calling for adequate dispatcher funding.

Discussion Items

• Opening Remarks & Budget Overview: Chair Gloria outlined the budget schedule (May 4, 5, 9, 10, 16 evening hearing, May 19 May revise, June 13 final decisions). COO Scott Chadwick presented the mayor's $3.3 billion proposed budget, highlighting 71% of new general fund revenue devoted to infrastructure, three times more road funding than three years ago, funding for the climate action plan, and a 311 system. IBA Andrea Tevlin gave a 12-minute overview, calling the budget a solid proposal. Key points: general fund reserves at 14.75% (highest in history); revenue projections consistent with forecasts; 217 new positions added; police overtime right-sized by $3 million; street paving funding gap closed; but persistent police recruitment challenges (13 departures/month) and no new initiatives for retention. The IBA also noted that 17 of 21 council budget priorities were funded, but priorities like converting the South University City fast response squad to a 24-hour fire station, restoring pool hours, increasing Penny for the Arts funding, and adding code enforcement personnel were not addressed.
• Police Department Budget: Chief Shelley Zimmerman presented the $433.6 million general fund budget (2,645 FTEs, up 13). Highlights: $3 million added for overtime, $1 million for facility repairs, three new sworn positions, and five new civilian positions (including dispatchers). The department is 160 officers below budgeted staffing due to attrition. The IBA commented on the $30.5 million spent on recruitment since FY2012, yet attrition remains high. The chief noted that 25% fewer people are applying to be officers. Discussion covered community relations officers (CROs) increased from 9 to 19, the need for more dispatchers, the CAD system upgrade (to be fully implemented by mid-FY2018), and the handling of sexual assault evidence kits (all sent to crime lab, turnaround 50-60 days).
• Fire-Rescue Department Budget: Chief Brian Fennessey presented the $233.1 million budget (1,221.53 FTEs, up 45.32). Significant additions: 32 positions converted from overtime to full-time, $2.6 million in overtime added, $1.6 million for strike team deployments (with offsetting revenue), four fire dispatchers, 7.51 lifeguard FTEs (including a training sergeant, a lifeguard 3 for Mission Bay, and seasonal positions). The IBA praised the overtime right-sizing and noted that the lifeguard five-year needs assessment is partially funded, but major unfunded capital needs for new fire stations remain ($32.8 million for three stations). Discussion included the conversion of the South University City FRS to a 24-hour station (not funded), the need for a permanent fire station in Skyline Hills, and the Paradise Hills station (no identified land or funding). Chief Wartz (lifeguard) noted that the boating safety unit conversion to a specialty team was approved by the union, aiding retention.
• Office of Homeland Security Budget: Program Manager Catherine Jackson presented a $2.6 million budget (mostly grant-funded), adding three positions. The IBA had no comments. Committee members praised the office's progress on emergency preparedness and regional collaboration.

Key Outcomes

• Performance Measures: Council President Leitner and other members strongly objected to the elimination of many performance metrics from the budget. They requested that historical metrics be retained and that any changes be approved by the council. The IBA noted that many new measures lack baseline data. Staff will address this during the Performance and Analytics presentation later in the day.
• Excess Equity: IBA estimated $6 million in excess equity at mid-year, but after known requests (e.g., dispatcher initiatives, city attorney positions, lawsuit costs) about $3 million may remain. The mayor announced $600,000 for 911 dispatcher enhancements, funded by redevelopment property tax revenue from City Heights ($1.6 million annually for 25 years). Councilmember Alvarez expressed concern that City Heights funds should stay in the community.
• Police Recruitment and Retention: The committee acknowledged the ongoing crisis and expressed openness to additional funding. Chair Gloria noted that the most recent MOU has not moved the needle and suggested that this budget should include new initiatives.
• Fire and Lifeguard Staffing: The committee supported the addition of 32 FTEs and lifeguard positions but noted the need for continued progress on the five-year plan, especially for boating safety succession planning. Councilmember Cole advocated for a three-year timeline for a permanent Skyline Hills fire station. Councilmember Sherman noted the importance of standardizing fire station design to reduce costs.
• Next Steps: The budget review continues on May 5, 9, and 10, with an evening public hearing on May 16. The mayor's May revise will be reviewed on May 19. Council members will submit final budget modification memoranda by May 27, and the IBA will issue a final report on June 8. The city council will make final budget decisions on June 13, 2016.