San Diego Budget Review Committee Meeting - May 5, 2025
San Diego Budget Review Committee Meeting - May 5, 2025
The Budget Review Committee convened on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 9 a.m. for a continuous meeting through May 9, 2025, to review the Fiscal Year 2026 draft budget. The meeting included presentations from the Independent Budget Analyst (IBA) and the Department of Finance (DOF), discussions on the city's structural deficit, and public testimony on proposed cuts and revenue measures. No formal votes were taken; the meeting was informational.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Arts and Culture (Christine Martinez, Arts & Culture San Diego; Bob Lehman, San Diego Museum Council; Carlos Christiani, Fleet Science Center): Speakers urged the council not to cut arts funding beyond what is already proposed, citing devastating federal cuts and the economic importance of arts institutions. They requested no additional cuts and a future plan for full Penny for the Arts funding.
- Parks and Libraries (multiple speakers): Residents from District 4, 8, and 9 opposed reductions in park maintenance, recreation center hours, and library closures (Sunday/Monday). They highlighted the impact on low-income communities and youth access to safe spaces, internet, and literacy programs.
- Northwest Police Station (numerous Carmel Valley residents, school officials, and community leaders): Over 30 speakers opposed the proposed closure of the Northwestern Division Police Station, citing longer emergency response times, increased risk for 30+ schools, and a breakdown of community-police partnerships. They requested the $1.7 million needed to keep the station open be found elsewhere.
- Youth and Equity (Mid-City CAN Youth Council, Mount Hope residents, ACE, others): Youth council members requested $2.5 million for a second playground at Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park in City Heights. Mount Hope residents decried inequitable cuts and asked for investment in their underserved community. Speakers also opposed cuts to the Office of Child and Youth Success (OCYS) and elimination of the Race and Equity director position.
- Environmental Services (Mission Beach residents, Larry Webb): Residents argued against eliminating the second summer trash pickup in Mission Beach (cost $70,000), calling it a public health necessity. Others protested the proposed trash fee and urged the city to increase franchise hauler fees before charging residents.
- General Services and IT (multiple speakers): Public comments included concerns about cybersecurity, the end of the 311 dial code, and the need for more effective data governance and transparency.
- Non-Agenda Public Comment (evening session): Topics included opposition to lifting the summer construction moratorium in Mission Beach, concerns about cannabis advertising targeting youth, and criticism of the city’s ADU policies.
Discussion Items
- Subitem A – FY26 Budget Overview: IBA Director Charles Modica and CFO Matt Vespie presented the city’s $258 million baseline shortfall. The proposed budget uses $234 million in mitigations, including a new trash fee ($73.8 million transfer from general fund), waiver of reserve contributions ($64 million), and expenditure cuts to libraries, parks, and recreation centers. Ongoing revenues support 98.3% of expenditures. The structural deficit is reduced to ~$100 million, but ongoing one-time resources remain. Council members questioned the impact on equity and the need for additional revenue.
- Subitem B – Financial Branch: Presentations covered special promotional programs (TOT revenue), citywide program expenditures (reductions in infrastructure fund transfer, climate equity fund waiver), Department of IT (SD Access for All, cybersecurity, ERP modernization), and Performance & Analytics (elimination of 311 dial code, reductions in open data funding). Council member Pro Tem Lee noted the importance of the open data portal for transparency.
- Subitem C – Operational Support Branch: Environmental Services detailed the transition to a Solid Waste Management Fund under Measure B, with $74 million in general fund savings. The new fee is assumed at $47 per month; IBA noted a missing $10 million in transitional support. Human Resources absorbed the Race and Equity department, eliminating the director and a program coordinator. Council member Ilo Rivera expressed concern about the loss of leadership and felt
Meeting Transcript
She's in the bathroom away. I'm learning. I'm learning. Hello, everyone. Um, good morning and welcome to the budget review committee of May 5th, 2025. Our committee liaison, Sarah Jordan will go over instructions for today's meeting. Thank you, Chair Foster. The budget review committee will convene for one continuous meeting starting today, May 5th, 2025, through Friday, May 9th, 2025, beginning each day at 9 a.m. The meeting will continue until the entire agenda is complete. Department budgets will be heard in the order of the agenda subject to the chair's discretion. Throughout the continuous budget review committee meeting, public comment will be taken at the end of each sub-item. Non-agenda public comment will take place during the 6 p.m. meeting this evening on May 5th, 2025. The public may also comment on any departments not listed for a formal presentation on the agenda during the 6 p.m. hearing this evening or during sub-item S, additional department review. This information and instruction is also available on the budget review committee agenda on the city's webpage. While the public is allowed to attend the meetings in person, this meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's webpage, and the council administration will continue to make arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. Additionally, members of the public who wish to provide virtual testimony must enter the virtual queue by raising their hand before the queue closes. This queue will close when the last virtual speaker finishes speaking or five minutes after in-person testimony ends, whichever occurs first. This will allow for better meeting management between the two platforms and ensure the council is able to manage and conduct city business. For sub-items containing more than one department being discussed, members of the public will have one minute per department listed with a maximum of three minutes total. We appreciate the public's cooperation. Chair Foster. Yes, thank you. And I will now call the budget review committee meeting of Monday, May 5th, 2025 to order. Sarah, please call the roll. Thank you, Chair Foster. Vice Chair Council President Lacava. Present. Committee member Campbell. Present. Committee member Whitburn. Committee member Von Wilpert. Council President Pro Tem Lee. Here. Committee member Campio. Here. Committee member Moreno. Present. Committee member Ilo Rivera. And Chair Committee Member Foster. Present. Also attending the meeting today is Charles Modica from the Independent Budget Analyst Office. Assistant City Attorney, Michelle Garland from the City Attorney's Office. Chief Financial Officer, Matt Vespie, Department of Finance Director, Rolando Charbell, and Director of Policy for Mayor Todd Gloria, Matt Yagagan. If you're in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of chambers and place it on the top of the box indicated at the speaker's lectern in the front of the room. Please do so in a timely manner to ensure proper meeting management. In-person testimony will conclude before virtual testimony begins. Members of the public can also join the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone by accessing the link which is listed online in the preamble language of the agenda on the city's webpage. If you need to participate by telephone, you may dial 1 669-2545252, entering webinar ID 160-664-9340 pound.
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