The County of San Diego’s Board of Supervisors received a financial update on their current budget Tuesday as the County works on building a new 2026-27 budget for approval in June.
At the same time, the Board voted to spend $8.8 million in unlocked reserves to improve conditions in South Bay regarding the ongoing Tijuana River Valley sewer crisis; and $47.7 million for time-critical funds for housing, vulnerable populations, environmental habitat, and to maintain critical facilities and upgrade technology.
The full Board supported spending the $8.8 million portion, with one no vote from Supervisor Jim Desmond for a $2.5 million allocation for two new health studies for South Bay residents. The Board split, voting 3-2, on the larger funding, with Chair Terra Lawson-Remer, Vice Chair Monica Montgomery Steppe and Chair Pro Tem Paloma Aguirre voting in favor, and Supervisors Joel Anderson and Desmond voting no.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN
The Board also reviewed the County’s five-year Capital Improvement Needs Assessment plan. The plan is not a budget document, but a strategic assessment of existing and future needs based on community priorities, operational requirements and available financial resources.
The current plan includes 28 projects, from the nearly $1 billion planning and construction of a modern Vista Detention Facility to projects supporting the Multiple Species Conservation Program, a new Behavioral Health Wellness Campus and a Ramona Sheriff’s station.
Nine of the 28 projects in the plan are estimated to require roughly $81.5 million from the County’s current 2026-27 budget.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS IMPORTANT
Tuesday’s update follows actions taken to increase transparency and encourage the public participation in the budget process.
At the Board’s Jan. 27 meeting, County financial experts outlined how the County budget process works, reviewed hundreds of services and programs supported by the current $8.63 billion budget and the Board heard from members of the public about their budget priorities.
And last week, the County launched an online survey and a budget Priority tool on the County’s Engage San Diego Budget page. The survey asks residents what they want to know and how they’d like to receive updates. The Priority tool lets people rank six County budget spending categories.
WHAT THE COUNTY DOES
The County of San Diego provides programs and service that touch the lives of nearly all of the county’s 3.3 million residents, in the unincorporated areas, and in the 18 incorporated cities and 18 federally recognized tribes.
In the unincorporated area, County provides services similar to city government, including law enforcement, roads, building permits, animal services, parks and libraries. Some cities also contract with the County to provide these types of services.
County government also works to deliver many services that support the entire region. These include emergency preparedness; criminal prosecution and detention facilities; delivery of federal and state social service assistance within the region like access to food and financial support for vulnerable people; health programs including behavioral health services; food and restaurant inspections; elections and beach water monitoring.
WHERE THE COUNTY BUDGET’S MONEY COMES FROM
About half of the County’s funding comes from state and federal sources and must be used for specific programs.
The remaining revenue comes from property taxes, fees for services and other sources. Some of these funds are also restricted by law.
Roughly one quarter of the budget is “general purpose revenue,” which the Board of Supervisors can allocate where needed.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Members of the public are encouraged to help shape the 2026-27 budget.
NOW THROUGH
MARCH 22:
Take the budget survey at Engage San Diego County.
Use the Priority Tool to rank spending categories.
Choose how you want to receive budget updates (email, text, etc.).
The information from the survey will be considered along with community feedback gathered throughout the year as the County’s recommended budget is developed.
AFTER MAY 1:
Review the recommended budget online.
Submit comments through 5 p.m. June 11 on Engage San Diego County.
Attend an in-person open house or virtual meeting
Participate in Board of Supervisors public budget hearings starting June 1.
The Board’s budget deliberations and adoption take place on June 23.
Visit the Clerk of the Board’s website or call 619-531-5434 for information on Board of Supervisors meetings and to request translation services.
