The city of San Diego is navigating financial challenges as it prepares to utilize its reserves to close the gaps in the current fiscal year budget.
Recent reports indicate that the city has experienced a decline in sales tax revenues and utility fees, which, coupled with overspending in police and fire department overtime, has left a significant hole of about $10 million in the general fund.
During a City Council meeting, Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera voiced strong concerns, arguing that the mayor has been slow to develop new revenue sources, such as charging for parking in Mission Bay Park.
The council is expected to vote on June 10 regarding the use of reserves to balance the budget for the current fiscal year.
In a related development, the South Bay Union School District announced its decision to close at least one elementary school due to a drastic drop in enrollment, with a decline of 40% since 2011.
The school board voted unanimously to shut down Central Elementary School in Imperial Beach after the conclusion of the next academic year, with plans to potentially close Sunnyslope and Berry Elementary Schools by 2031.
Board Member Jose Lopez Eguino commented on the situation, emphasizing that if further closures are necessary during reevaluation, the board would consider those options.
District leaders are set to spend the upcoming year strategizing students’ transportation, staffing, and placement for students from Central Elementary School following its closure.
In labor news, the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union, representing over 30,000 grocery store workers in Southern California, indicates that thousands of grocery workers, including around 7,200 in San Diego County, may go on strike this summer.
The union claims that Vons, Albertsons, and Ralph’s are engaging in unfair labor practices, leading to upcoming votes on whether to authorize a strike in mid-June.
In brighter news, the San Diego Humane Society is extending its operational hours over the weekends for the summer, a move that last year resulted in over 600 animal adoptions.
The organization currently has more than 700 animals available for adoption and hopes to increase those numbers with the expanded weekend hours starting Saturday at various shelters.
In another initiative aimed at homelessness, San Diego is preparing to unveil its fifth safe parking lot, designed to provide secure overnight parking for individuals living in their vehicles.
Located near San Diego International Airport, this lot comprises 190 spaces and significantly increases the city’s capacity to assist the homeless population.
Kohta Zaiser, Community Engagement Lead for the project, mentioned that this repurposed city-owned land was formerly part of the NTC naval base and highlights the city’s commitment to addressing homelessness.
Jewish Family Service will manage the operations of this facility, which will offer participants assistance with housing, medical issues, and access to government programs.
However, an ongoing lawsuit from real estate developer McMillin NTC questions the legality of homeless parking and sheltering at the site and is set to go to trial in February.
In educational news, San Diego State University recently celebrated the graduation of thousands of students, including 21 individuals whose journeys to earning a degree included time spent in prison.
Chris Burroughs, one of these graduates, shared his inspiring story of overcoming adversity.
Having spent 14 years incarcerated, he transformed his perspective and aspirations during his time in prison, motivated by reading about organic farming, which ultimately led him to pursue a degree in sustainability at SDSU after his release in June 2018.
Project Rebound, a program supporting formerly incarcerated students at SDSU, played a vital role in his academic journey, offering essential resources and guidance throughout his time at the university.
David Durand, the director of Project Rebound, reported significant growth in the program, stating that they now support 90 students, with 21 graduating in this year’s class, and many planning to attend graduate school.
The initiative highlights the importance of education as a tool for rehabilitation, as less than 1% of Project Rebound graduates reoffend, in contrast to nearly half of formerly incarcerated individuals statewide returning to prison within three years.
Burroughs praised the supportive environment provided by Project Rebound, which caters to older students, averaging around 40 years old, as they navigate their educational journeys.
Graduating with a bachelor’s degree, Burroughs plans to utilize his knowledge through his nonprofit organization, Garden 31, which aims to provide education and job training in the agricultural sector for formerly incarcerated individuals and at-risk youth.
Finally, in a notable advancement for public health, San Diego has inaugurated a new state-of-the-art public health laboratory that is equipped to respond rapidly to potential epidemic outbreaks.
Costing $93 million and situated in Kearny Mesa, the new lab is substantially larger than its predecessor in Point Loma, thus enabling faster and more efficient testing and results.
Lab director Jeremy Corrigan expressed that the enhanced capacity will significantly decrease the turnaround time for test results from weeks or months to just days, increasing the county’s independence from external health authorities.
The new facility reinforces the idea that public health initiatives must focus on local readiness and response capabilities, enhancing San Diego’s overall health infrastructure and preparedness for future health crises.
For ongoing updates about these stories and more local news, KPBS encourages its audience to visit their website at KPBS.org.
In upcoming programs, the KPBS Roundtable will delve into discussions concerning new proposed accessory dwelling unit regulations and a San Diego Unified plan aimed at lowering high school graduation requirements.
This week’s news segment was produced by Andrew Dyer and edited by Brooke Ruth and Quinn Owen.
Stay informed, and enjoy your weekend!
image source from：https://www.kpbs.org/podcasts/san-diego-news-now/san-diego-will-tap-reserves-to-fill-budget-shortfall-through-fiscal-year
