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    Center on Policy Initiatives

Breaking Down
the CITY OF
San Diego Budget

Why is the budget important?

The budget is a moral document, it’s a statement of values. What the City of San Diego decides to fund reflects the values of those who set the budget.

For too long we’ve been told that we don’t have enough money but this is not true, the budget is about priorities. The budget must reflect community needs and advance equity and racial justice. We’re fighting for a community led budget and transparency about how the City of San Diego spends public money.

Click here to see the presentation from our "Breaking Down the City of San Diego Budget" community forum

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Below are important dates, who makes decisions about the budget, and what programs and services are funded by the City of San Diego. 

City of San Diego Key Budget Dates

January 6, 2021
Councilmembers submit budget memos
February 22, 2021
Mid-year budget monitoring report & hearing- opportunity to amend the current budget
April 15, 2021
Mayor releases Proposed Budget
April 30, 2021
Independent Budget Analyst (IBA) releases analysis of proposed budget
May 5 - May 11, 2021
City departments present their budgets
May 5 & May 17, 2021
Evening budget hearings
May 18, 2021
Mayor "May Revise" of budget
May 26, 2021
City Council submits their proposed changes to the budget
June 9, 2021
IBA releases report on Councilmembers' budget proposed changes
June
Budget is approved

Key People

Mayor

  • The Mayor of the City of San Diego has a lot of power. The Mayor creates the proposed budget and can veto any changes the City Council makes to the budget.

City Council President

  • The City Council President decides what is docketed in the San Diego City Council hearings.

City Council

  • The San Diego City Council votes on the budget and policies. The City Council also has the power to override a veto by the Mayor. To override a mayoral veto 6 of the 9 Councilmembers must vote together.

Independent Budget Analyst (IBA)

  • The IBA of the City of San Diego analyses the proposed, adopted budget and priority memos from the councilmembers. The IBA analysis provides a summary of the budgets and is a good place to start to see what has been included or left out of the budget.

What's in the City of San Diego Budget?

  • Outdoor lighting (street lights, traffic signals)
  • Street and sidewalk improvements
  • Water services and infrastructure
  • Services & programs at libraries, parks, and recreation centers
  • Police
  • Fire Department
  • Housing

What's in the County of San Diego Budget?

  • State services (Section 8 vouchers, Medi-Cal, CalWorks, etc.)
  • Public health services, including mental health services
  • Programs like foster care and child welfare services
  • Administration of county jails and juvenile hall
  • Sheriff's Department
  • Housing
Written by CPI San Diego
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