San Diego City Wire

The County Board of Supervisors will hold two public hearings next week on the recommended budget for fiscal year 2024-25. The first budget hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 4. The second hearing takes place in the evening and begins at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 6. Both hearings will be held at the County Administration Center board chamber.

The recommended budget was released on May 2 and totals $8.48 billion, an increase of $317.7 million or 3.9% over the 2023-24 adopted budget. The budget also includes roughly 72 new positions, a 0.4% increase.

The plan maintains core services and calls for funding to support the County’s budget priorities, which include behavioral health, homelessness, affordable housing, roads, justice reform, and environmental sustainability.

Overall, the recommended budget increase is smaller than previous years, limiting staffing growth and reducing spending on capital projects.

The County provides many services across the region, including food and restaurant inspections, beach and bay water testing, elections, social services, health programs, foster care, adult protective services and more. Additionally, the County provides city-type services for residents outside of the region’s 18 cities in unincorporated areas such as law enforcement and fire protection as well as maintenance of parks, libraries and roads.

County staff prepared the budget using community input collected throughout the year alongside an equity assessment to evaluate potential impacts on vulnerable populations.

About half of the County’s budget funding comes from federal, state or other governments. The Governor recently released a revised state budget which staff is currently reviewing for potential impacts to the County.

The County will release its revised recommended budget on June 13 with final approval by the Board of Supervisors expected on June 25. The budget will take effect July 1.

Residents can learn more about the recommended budget by reviewing an executive summary or the full recommended budget plan available online. Feedback can be provided through Engage San Diego County now through June 13.

Meetings will take place in room 310 at the County Administration Center located at 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101 with Spanish language translation services available for public speakers at Board meetings upon request made at least 72 hours prior to meetings.

For more information about participating in upcoming hearings or providing comments online or by phone visit the Clerk of the Board’s website or call (619) 531-5434.

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