Mayor Todd Gloria
San Diego prioritizes public safety and homelessness response amid painful library and recreation center cutbacks
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Mayor Todd Gloria has released a $6.04 billion draft budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026 that aims to close a projected $258 million deficit by trimming city services, cutting jobs, and introducing new fees—all while boosting funding for public safety and shelter services for the city’s growing unhoused population.
The proposal, unveiled ahead of public hearings in May, is Gloria’s most significant fiscal plan to date, shaped by declining tax revenues and inflation-driven costs.
“What we are putting forward at this time is a balanced, draft budget grounded in our economic reality,” Gloria said in his official statement.
Cuts to Libraries, Rec Centers, and Jobs
Under the proposed budget:
- All public libraries would close on Sundays and Mondays, with weekly operating days reduced to five.
- Recreation centers would see hours cut by one-third.
- Seasonal closures are planned for park restrooms in lower-use periods.
- 393 city positions would be eliminated, with 160 currently filled. Officials say reassignment opportunities will be explored for those affected.
The San Diego Library Foundation voiced concern:
“It is not sustainable for the San Diego Public Library to continue to serve their communities at the level expected by its patrons when the city continues to slash money from the Library budget year after year.”
Raising Revenue: Parking, Trash, Cannabis Fees
To help balance the budget, the city will pursue $157 million in new revenue, including:
- Increases in parking meter rates and citation fines
- A residential trash collection fee (as authorized by Measure B)
- A cannabis business tax hike
City officials argue these are necessary trade-offs to preserve essential operations while avoiding across-the-board layoffs.
Public Safety Spending Grows
Despite widespread reductions, Mayor Gloria’s proposal maintains increases for emergency services:
- San Diego Police Department: +$29.3 million
- Fire-Rescue Department: +$24 million
These allocations are intended to stabilize 911 response times and improve staffing in fast-growing neighborhoods.
$105M Homelessness Investment Includes Safe Parking Site
The proposed budget allocates $105.3 million to homelessness services, including $71.1 million from the General Fund. This includes:
- Funding for a new Safe Parking site at H Barracks, which will provide 190 vehicle spaces for people living in their cars—nearly doubling current capacity.
- Continued support for interim housing, shelters, and outreach programs.
Mayor Gloria has also endorsed Senate Bill 16, introduced by State Senator Catherine Blakespear, which would require counties to share the cost of city-run shelters.
“It’s long past time for all the cities in this county to do their part and not simply rely on you, the taxpayers of this city,” Gloria said during his State of the City address earlier this year.
Impact on Communities
While the budget preserves investments in emergency response and housing access, service cuts are expected to affect thousands of families—especially those in lower-income areas who rely heavily on library programs, park facilities, and after-school centers.
.Next Steps: Public Hearings Begin May 5
The San Diego City Council will hold public budget hearings from May 5 to 9, where residents can offer feedback in person or online. The final vote is scheduled for June 10, 2025.
“Tough times demand tough decisions,” Gloria said. “This budget protects what we value most—safety, shelter, and financial sustainability.”
Public Budget Hearings – Key Dates
- May 5–9: Community input at City Hall and online
- June 10: Final City Council vote on FY2026 Budget
- Full budget documents: sandiego.gov/budget2026
