Dear Neighbor,

I’ve released the Final Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2026. While our financial outlook hasn’t improved since the draft budget last month, this updated proposal includes targeted changes shaped by feedback from San Diegans and the City Council. 

We’re restoring key public safety positions—stationing patrol officers at the Northwestern Division, adding back two vice detectives focused on combatting human trafficking and prostitution, and keeping the bomb squad cross-staffing model unchanged. We’re also partially reversing the proposed reduction to our animal services contract with the San Diego Humane Society. 

This is a responsible plan that reflects tough choices. It’s also strategic, investing in what matters most: keeping people safe, maintaining essential services, fixing infrastructure, and reducing homelessness through proven interventions, including building more housing. Most importantly, it’s balanced, as required by law, and puts the City on solid financial footing. 

The budget is now in the City Council’s hands to review and amend. Any additions or restorations they propose must be balanced with either new revenue or corresponding reductions. I look forward to working with the City Council and the people of San Diego to finalize a responsible plan that protects the progress we’ve made. 

As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor. 

After decades of pollution, beach closures, and public health risks, we’re finally seeing progress in the fight to stop the flow of raw sewage from Tijuana into southern San Diego County. 

Since 1993, the City of San Diego has maintained a local state of emergency due to cross-border contamination. And while the issue isn’t resolved, we’re finally seeing some momentum, driven by years of sustained advocacy and international cooperation. 

Last year, I joined mayors across the county to urge the State of California and the federal government to declare a State of Emergency, pushing the urgency of this crisis into the spotlight. By working with our congressional delegation our region was able to secure more than $650 million in federal funding to upgrade and expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant. Repairs are now underway, and once complete, we will see fewer beach closures and an improvement in water quality. 

Locally, the City is doing what’s within its authority to address the pollution. We’ve restored berms in Smuggler’s Gulch, worked with the Navy to install large rocks along Saturn Boulevard to help stop contaminated water from splashing and spreading the foul odor, supported regional dredging, and maintained close partnerships with environmental agencies to track and address health risks. 

We’ve also been active across the border—pressing Mexican federal and state officials to fix the origin of the problem. Thanks to that pressure, construction is now underway at the Punta Bandera treatment facility and along the Tijuana sewage pipeline. 

Last week, a sewer-line repair project began in Mexico, which has caused a temporary increase in odor and sewage flow into the Tijuana River Valley that’s impacting South Bay residents even more than usual. I know that for the families who live with this every day, it’s completely unacceptable—and I want you to know we’re doing everything in our power to fix it, but we need more help from all levels of government.  

Reminder: To help residents cope with the worsening air quality, the County has launched the AIRE Program, which still has some of its 10,000 air purifiers available to affected households. This initiative was made possible by AB 423—a bill I authored in the State Assembly to reform the Air Pollution Control District and give impacted communities a stronger voice in air quality decisions. 

This work is far from done. But for the first time in a long time, we’re seeing movement—and we’re going to keep showing up until our beaches are clean and safe for all San Diegans. 
 
What question should I answer next? 
 
Vote in the survey below or send your question to: AskTheMayor@sandiego.gov.

▪️ Is San Diego the only city facing a major budget shortfall, or are other cities and counties in California dealing with the same financial challenges? 

▪️ What is the City's plan to address the uncertainty surrounding the Rosecrans Shelter, especially considering its role in serving individuals with behavioral health conditions? 

▪️ How do updated parking rates on City streets and in public areas like Balboa Park benefit all San Diegans?