In a significant development regarding the city budget, the San Diego City Council voted on Monday to align with Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposal to reduce funding for various community initiatives, including the arts and homeless services.
The council’s decision was made in a 6-3 vote and reflected a compromise that reduced Gloria’s original cuts, which amounted to nearly $5 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year budget.
Despite some preservation of nearly $2 million in funding for organizations providing aid, resources for lake recreation, and the city’s Office of Race and Equity, many other crucial services faced significant reductions.
This vote marks a critical moment in the ongoing budgetary disagreements between Mayor Gloria and the city council, as the tight budget deadline looms.
The council had been embroiled in a prolonged battle over a staggering $258 million deficit in the city budget.
In light of this financial challenge, some community services, including libraries, were at risk as Gloria pursued aggressive cuts.
However, the council stood firm against the mayor’s proposals, even in the face of warnings from Independent Budget Analyst Charles Modica and the mayor regarding the sustainability of their planned allocation of funds for the coming fiscal year.
The mayor’s suggested cuts targeted essential funds for some of the city’s most underserved communities but also included funding that benefited a range of nonprofit organizations.
In a notable victory for advocacy groups, the council managed to secure $900,000 for aid organizations that support various demographics, including the LGBTQ+ community and seniors.
Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera remarked after the vote that while the primary responsibility was to balance the budget, there also existed a moral obligation to serve community needs.
He emphasized, “Rather than slashing and burning, this strong Council chose to plant seeds for a more abundant, equitable future.”
Amid reduced federal funding, many nonprofits have leaned heavily on local support for their operations.
Karina Piu from The San Diego LGBT Community Center made a compelling argument during the council meeting, urging leaders to boldly invest in communities under threat from the federal administration.
The council members who opposed the majority’s decision included Elo-Rivera, Kent Lee, Henry Foster III, and Joe LaCava, actively advocating for the rejection of all of the mayor’s cuts.
Despite extensive efforts, they could not convince their colleagues of the merits for a full reversal of Gloria’s proposals.
As a compromise initiated by Foster, the council ultimately agreed with Gloria to cut $250,000 in support aimed at homeless outreach and $450,000 for arts funding, which impacted events such as the Kinfolk Juneteenth Festival.
Claire Snyder, a director at advocacy group Youth Will, voiced concerns over the disproportionate impact these cuts would have on vulnerable communities, particularly Black and brown populations.
Some environmental safety initiatives, including stormwater infrastructure and wildfire prevention efforts, were preserved, yet still experienced a reduction of $1.3 million.
The council also narrowly saved the city’s Office of Race and Equity, which Mayor Gloria established in 2020 to address systemic racism and inequity within city measures.
The tension between the council and the mayor continues to simmer, hinting at future confrontations over the budget.
Gloria expressed his reluctance to endorse the council’s decisions, stating, “You are endorsing a level of risk that I cannot support, and that I will not support.”
He cautioned that if the council’s anticipated revenue sources fail to materialize, they will be responsible for the repercussions that could lead to government layoffs and the closure of public libraries.
The council was prompted by Gloria’s warning as Modica reiterated the possibility that their revenue projections may be overly optimistic.
In the vote’s aftermath, some council members and members of the public called out the mayor over what they described as reckless spending.
Concerns were also raised regarding increases in funding for law enforcement and other contentious initiatives like the Smart Streetlights program.
Ahead of the critical vote, the four council members opposing Gloria’s vetoes unified to admonish him for expending approximately $155 million in city funds without securing necessary pre-approval from the council, calling for a change in administrative practices moving forward.
Councilmember Foster articulated this growing frustration, stating, “That has been the practice of this administration, the practice of this mayor, and it’s time for that to end.”
image source from：timesofsandiego
