San Diego Budget Review Committee Meeting - May 6, 2025
San Diego Budget Review Committee Meeting - May 6, 2025
The San Diego City Council's Budget Review Committee continued its multi-day budget hearing on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, starting at 9:00 AM and concluding late in the evening. The committee reviewed the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budgets for several city departments, including Development Services, City Planning, Economic Development, Arts & Culture, Libraries, Parks and Recreation, Communications, and the Police Department. The meeting featured presentations from department heads, questions from council members, and public testimony. No formal votes were taken; the hearings are informational, with the Mayor's May Revise expected later in May.
Public Comments & Testimony
- External Services (Development Services & City Planning): Corinne Wilson (MEA) opposed cutting 12 filled positions from DSD's nuisance abatement team, arguing it would leave complaints unresolved and that unclassified positions should be considered for reduction. Other speakers urged support for community plan updates and transparent engagement.
- Economic Development & Arts & Culture: Several speakers, including Christine Martinez and Bob Lehman, urged the council not to cut arts funding further, noting the economic impact of arts and culture. One speaker questioned the use of city funds for World Design Capital assets being placed outside the city.
- Neighborhood Services (Library, Parks & Rec, Communications): Multiple speakers from the public and employee unions (MEA) criticized the proposed cuts to library hours and park maintenance. Connie Zuniga requested keeping Monday hours at Logan Heights Library. Park and recreation supporters emphasized the importance of assistant recreation center directors for underserved communities. Speakers also opposed cuts to the San Diego Humane Society contract.
- Police: Many speakers from District 1 and the Carmel Valley area strongly opposed the closure of the Northwestern Police Division substation, citing public safety concerns. Others spoke in favor of maintaining police overtime. A few speakers advocated for redirecting funds from police to other services.
External Services Branch (Sub-item E)
Development Services Department (DSD)
- Presentation: Deputy COO Casey Smith reported that DSD issued over 45,000 approvals in 2024 and has permitted over 3,000 affordable housing units under the Affordable Housing Permit Now program. The department faces a structural deficit in its enterprise fund, requiring additional budget cuts in the May Revise.
- Proposed Cuts: Reduction of 12 FTEs from zoning enforcement (general fund side) and 23 vacant positions from the development services fund. The general fund cuts would eliminate two of seven zoning enforcement teams, reducing enforcement of lower-priority (Priority 3) quality-of-life violations such as fence height, billboards, and landscaping.
- Council Discussion: Several council members expressed concern about equity impacts, noting that code enforcement cuts disproportionately affect older neighborhoods. Councilmember Elo Rivera suggested a cost-recovery ordinance for blighted properties. Council President pro Tem Lee noted the volatility of the enterprise fund due to economic conditions and asked about plans to balance the budget.
City Planning Department
- Presentation: Director Heidi Vonblum highlighted major accomplishments including adoption of Blueprint SD General Plan update, University Community Plan, Hillcrest Focus Plan, and De Anza Natural Plan. The department absorbed 21 positions from the former Sustainability and Mobility Department (SUMO).
- Proposed Cuts: Reduction of five vacant positions from the city planning work program, totaling $1.4 million, which will delay completion of certain planning initiatives.
- Council Discussion: Council members emphasized the need to continue community plan updates, especially for Otay Mesa Nestor. Councilmember Moreno expressed concern about reliance on grants for the update.
Economic Development, Real Estate & Arts & Culture (Sub-item F)
- Presentation: Director Christina Bibler presented the budget for Economic Development, which now includes Cultural Affairs. Highlights included the creation of an eviction prevention program ($3 million pass-through to Housing Commission), a reduction in the Small Business Enhancement Program (SBEP), and proposed use of CDBG funds and a one-time water sewer capacity bank transfer ($750,000) to sustain small business support.
- Proposed Cuts: Elimination of SBEP general fund support ($765,000), a $900,000 reduction to arts and culture grants (Creative Communities and Organizational Support), and a $100,000 reduction to the Lyceum Theater contract.
- Council Discussion: Councilmembers criticized the SBEP elimination as violating council policy. Councilmember Ilo Rivera questioned the lack of explanation for the cut and asked about corporate sponsorships. Councilmember Moreno called the cuts to arts funding
Meeting Transcript
Okay. Good morning, everyone. And welcome to day two of the budget review committee of May sixth, twenty twenty-five. Our committee liaison, Natalie Kessler, will review the instructions for today's meeting. Thank you, Chair. As we shared yesterday, the budget review committee will convene for one continuous meeting starting yesterday, May fifth, twenty twenty-five, through Friday, May 9th, 2025, beginning each day at nine 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 during each sub-item. The public may also comment on any departments not listed for a formal presentation on the agenda during subitem S additional department review. The 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 time of three minutes total. We appreciate the public's cooperation. Chair. Thank you, Natalie. I will now call the budget review committee meeting of Tuesday, May 6, 2025 to order. Natalie, please call the role. Vice Chair, Council President Lacaba. Present. Committee member Campbell. Committee member Whitburn. Here. Committee member Von Wilpert. Present. Council President Pro Tem Lee. Here. Committee member Kimpio. Here. Committee member Moreno. Present. Committee member Elo Rivera. Present. And Chair, Committee Member Foster. Present. Also attending the meeting today is Charles Modica, Independent Budget Analyst, Chief Deputy City Attorney Corinne Newfer from the City Attorney's Office. Chief Financial Officer Matt Besby, Department of Finance Director Rolando Charbel, and Policy Advisor for Mayor Todd Gloria, Chris Ackermanavila. If you're in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of chambers and place it on top of the box indicated at the front of at the speaker's lecture at 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 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 phone, please dial 16692545252. The webinar ID is 160-664-9340 pound. This information is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each agenda item. As noted previously, members of the public who wish to provide virtual testimony must enter the virtual queue by raising their hand before the virtual queue closes. The queue will close when the last virtual speaker finishes speaking or five minutes after in-person testimony ends, whichever occurs first. And please note that if you are watching via City TV 24 or online, there may be a delay. So please participate via the audio on your phone and mute your TV or computer when it is your turn to speak. If you wish to speak on a particular item or department, wait for that department to be called and then raise your hand to speak by tapping the raise your hand icon, or if you're a call-in participant, press star line on your phone. If you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered.
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