The San Diego County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to begin a series of public hearings Monday on its proposed $5.35 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year, while the San Diego City Council will consider adopting its $3.3 billion budget.
The supervisors are scheduled to hear staff presentations Monday and Tuesday on their budget, which envisions spending 1.2 percent less money than the current fiscal year because of a shift to the state of responsibilities for in-home supportive services. Public testimony will be taken Wednesday beginning at 2 p.m.
The county plans to add the equivalent of 344.5 staff years in 2016-17, bringing total employment to 17,380 staff years — quantified in that manner to account for part-time positions. Most of the new jobs will be in public safety and the Health and Human Services Agency.
The supervisors are scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. at the County Administration Center.
Hearings for the city of San Diego’s proposed spending plan were held last month. The City Council is scheduled Monday to consider some possible last-minute additions brought forth by its members and Mayor Kevin Faulconer.
Among them, spending $4 million to stem the flow of experienced police officers to other law enforcement agencies, $652,000 to shore up the San Diego Police Department‘s dispatching staff, $1.5 million to fix up the dilapidated former Navy Hospital Library building in Balboa Park and $1.35 million to repair the Botanical Building in Balboa Park.
The two police issues have been some of the biggest thorns in the side of the Faulconer administration this year, and the mayor received criticism when his initial budget proposal in April didn’t address either one. He added the ideas last month.
Fixing up the library building would allow 50 Parks & Recreation Department Open Space employees to move from the downtown City Administration Building to Balboa Park, and let city workers currently housed in leased office space to move back to City Hall — saving at least $175,000 in annual rent payments, according to a report by the city’s Independent Budget Analyst.
The 102-year-old Botanical Building has been in line for restoration for several years. The IBA noted that the Balboa Park Conservancy has raised $500,000 toward the project, leaving an $850,000 funding gap on work projected to cost $2.7 million.
Council members have also proposed adding a second weekly trash pickup during the summer in Mission Beach to address an annual fly infestation, increase support for arts and culture programs, and spend more on library programs, among other things.
The City Council will meet beginning at the City Administration Building at 1 p.m. — one hour earlier than usual.
Upon adoption, the county and city budgets would take effect July 1.
— City News Service
