Budget goes before county supervisors for discussion

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors was scheduled to deliberate and (possibly) adopt the County’s $9.16 billion revised recommended budget when they met yesterday, June 25.

Adoption may continue to Friday, June 26, if additional time is needed to identify fund­ing sources or otherwise bal­ance the budget.

A STABLE BUDGET FO­CUSED ON CORE SERVICES AND COMMUNITY NEEDS

The revised recommended fis­cal year 2026-27 budget is $522 million, or 6.1% larger than the County’s current budget. If ad­opted, it will take effect July 1.

County officials say the pro­posed budget maintains stabil­ity, protects core services and responds to growing communi­ty needs. The values-centered proposed budget was shaped through close collaboration among community members, the Board of Supervisors and its ad hoc subcommittees. It strengthens core services, in­cluding:

• Public safety to meet Prop­osition 36 responsibilities
• Health and safety-net pro­grams affected by federal policy changes under H.R. 1.
• Expands behavioral health care
• Maintains investments in homelessness response, public health, infrastructure, libraries and parks
• Dedicates resources to ad­dress the pollution crisis in the Tijuana River Valley.

CAREFUL CHOICES IN CHALLENGING

ENVIRONMENT

Balancing the FY 2026-27 budget required strategic ad­justments, as state and federal revenues— nearly half of all the County’s funding—remain uncertain. Revenue streams have not kept pace with the overall growth in the cost of doing business, prompting the County to leverage recalibra­tion strategies.

To recalibrate and prepare for the challenges ahead, the proposed budget incorporates new efficiencies, reduces costs, shrinks the County’s facilities footprint, and shifts staff to ad­dress evolving responsibilities — all while avoiding layoffs.

HOW THE BUDGET WAS DEVELOPED

The County released a $9.15 billion recommended budget May 18 after extensive com­munity collaboration. A revised version, adding $3.85 million in adjustments, was released June 12 following an 11-day public comment period and rec­ommendations from the County Chief Administrative Officer.

Community input came through open houses, on-line comments and in-person feed­back sessions.

WHAT THE COUNTY DOES

The County serves 3.3 mil­lion residents across unincor­porated areas, 18 incorporated cities and 18 federally recog­nized tribes.

In the unincorporated area, County government provides day-to-day services a city gov­ernment typically provides, including law enforcement, roads, building permits, animal services, parks and libraries. Some cities also contract with the County for these services.

Regionwide, the County over­sees emergency preparedness, criminal prosecution and de­tention, food and financial as­sistance, behavioral health ser­vices, public health programs, restaurant inspections, elec­tions and beach water monitor­ing.

Reprinted courtesy San Diego County Office of Communica­tions.