Mayor Todd Gloria released an initial budget proposal Tuesday that calls for reduced library and rec center hours and slashes almost 400 positions in a bid to close a $258 million budget shortfall.
The Union-Tribune reports that Gloria is also pitching a 10 percent city arts funding cut, restroom closures at some city beaches and parks and reduced code enforcement of zoning violations. Gloria also plans to pursue new and increased fees, including paid parking at Balboa Park and charges for trash collection.
Axios noted that the police and fire rescue departments will see increased budgets under Gloria’s proposal though both would also see cuts.
The mayor emphasized his proposal is a draft he expects to change considerably throughout the city’s budget process.
What Gloria’s watching before he releases a revised May budget: tariffs that could increase city infrastructure costs and reduced consumer spending that could impact city sales tax and tourism tax rolls. He said the inflation hitting San Diegans is also hitting the city, forcing tough decisions on city fees and services – and he’s concerned more economic calamity will force more tough decisions.
“If current trends continue, that will be a situation where we would have to make additional adjustments in order to deal with the economic realities of the federal government,” Gloria told Voice. “And again, that’s in addition to whatever cuts may be passed on to cities like ours.”
Still, Gloria said, he’s hoping the city can minimize layoffs by moving at least some workers whose positions are being eliminated into other city roles. Per Gloria’s office, 160 of the 393 positions proposed to be axed are filled.
Next steps: Gloria is set to present his draft budget to the City Council next Monday. The City Council will hold budget hearings May 5-9 and the mayor will release a revised budget his office dubbed his “official budget proposal” on May 14. The City Council is expected to vote on the budget on June 10.
Homeless Shelter in Limbo
In 2022, city and county officials cheered the opening of a 150-bed homeless shelter for people with behavioral health challenges outside the county’s Midway District health complex.
Years later, Mayor Todd Gloria’s latest budget proposal calls for the city to nix funding for what was once hailed as a paradigm-shifting partnership between the city, county and nonprofit Lucky Duck Foundation.
Our Lisa Halverstadt reports that Gloria decided to halt funding amid frustrations about the planned March 2026 demolition of the County Health Complex steps away from the shelter. Gloria argues the project makes continued shelter operations infeasible – and that the city was expected to take on rising costs tied to the demolition.
County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and a county spokesperson, meanwhile, argue that the shelter can and should remain open before, during and after the demolition. Lawson-Remer is imploring philanthropists to help cover the cost to set up utilities that will be cut off once the demolition starts.
The CEO of the Lucky Duck Foundation, which supplied the shelter tent now set up on county property, said the nonprofit is for now more focused on how to bring the city and county together to keep the shelter open than on writing a check.
In more positive shelter news: The Union-Tribune reports that the city will double its roster of shelter beds for homeless young adults later this month.
South County Report: Ready, Set, Vote Again
Now that the dust has settled, one thing is clear: the mayors outdid themselves during last week’s election to replace Nora Vargas on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. Republican John McCann and Democrat Paloma Aguirre, mayors of Chula Vista and Imperial Beach, respectively dominated the special election.
If you paid attention to the polling, as South County Reporter Jim Hinch did, this result wasn’t all that surprising. Still, there were a couple of clear lessons to take from the vote totals. One of those lessons was that the millions spent on political advertising, including more than $550,000 spent on ads attacking Aguirre, were not all powerful.
Plus: National City Councilmember Luz Molina is requesting her fellow councilmembers to stop making so many darn requests.
Read the South County Report here.
Song of the Week
On the most recent episode of “The Finest,” the excellent new arts and culture podcast from KPBS reporter Julia Dixon Evans introduced a local musician who our Jakob McWhinney had never heard of: Shua.
Shua, “How to Let Go”: In the episode of “The Finest,” featuring Shua, Dixon Evans calls his voice “stunning.” It is, but not because of its technical perfection. It’s stunning because of how richly emotive and incredibly impactful it is – he’s able to communicate so much more than the simple words he’s singing.
On “How to Let Go,” Shua showcases his ability to craft a song that truly transports you. The gentle acoustic strums are offset by ghostly backup vocals, synths and hints of bass. Read more about the Song of the Week here.
Like what you hear? Listen to the full episode of “The Finest,” here, or catch Shua live at Belly Up on Thursday, April 17.
Do you have a “Song of the Week” suggestion? Shoot us an email and a sentence or two about why you’ve been bumping this song lately. Friendly reminder: all songs should be by local artists.
In Other News
- San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer is set to deliver an update on the state of the county today at 6 p.m. You can watch it here.
- Did you know the man behind the Trump Administration’s tariffs has ties to San Diego? Axios San Diego details how Peter Navarro, a top White House trade adviser, once “orchestrated housing wars in San Diego.” Read the full profile here. Related: KPBS reports on how the tariffs could impact small businesses.
- Employees at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park want higher wages. KPBS spoke to workers who say they are struggling to make ends meet. The nonprofit that operates the parks told KPBS they are working with the union to reach an agreement.
- More earthquake reactions: One TV station reached out to the Padres about the player’s reactions to Monday’s earthquake. An expert told ABC 10 that Petco Park stadium is built for shaking.
- San Diego City Hall reopened to the public and staff on Tuesday. Officials had evacuated the building and relocated Monday’s City Council meeting as a precaution because of the earthquake.
The Morning Report was written by Lisa Halverstadt, Jakob McWhinney and Andrea Lopez-Villafaña. It was edited by Andrea Lopez-Villafaña.
Cutting core services and transit while funding the police flying around in brand new helicopters 🤡🤡🤡