As you may know, the City of San Diego is confronting a budget deficit for this upcoming fiscal year. Over the last four months, I have carefully considered operational efficiencies in order to save taxpayer dollars, and to the greatest extent possible, preserve City services for residents and minimize potential layoffs.
Most notably, I am electing to retain the responsibilities of City Manager, as provided under the City Charter. This means that the City’s Executive Team will now report directly to me. In addition, I am consolidating and merging several City departments with aligned work into other departments.
The goal is to streamline operations while preserving core services like public safety, street repair, and homelessness response.
As I shared in my State of the City Address, I refuse to let our financial challenges stall the progress we have made. San Diego will not move backward, and we will also not ignore reality and hope things improve on their own. Instead, I am taking action to improve our situation now.
I’m grateful for the hard work of our City employees and the support of our community as we make these adjustments. Together, we’ll ensure our city government remains strong, effective, and focused on delivering the services San Diegans deserve.
As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor.
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City Consolidations Save Millions While Preserving Core Services
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I’ve directed a series of operational changes that will save more than $5 million annually while maintaining the services San Diegans count on. These tough-but-necessary decisions will help keep officers on patrol, fire stations fully staffed, roads repaired, and outreach efforts ongoing to help people exit homelessness.
Effective immediately, these changes will streamline City operations and reduce costs:
- Mayor’s Office Consolidation: I am assuming the role and responsibilities of City Manager by eliminating the role of Chief Operating Officer and all executive team members will now report directly to me. This merger, which also consolidates the Department of Government Affairs and the Office of Boards and Commissions into the Mayor’s Office, reduces five positions and saves over $925,000 annually.
- Department Realignments: Key departments will move into others to create better operational synergy and ensure continued progress:
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- Sustainability and Mobility: Integrated into Planning, Transportation, General Services, and Capital Projects, saving $914,000 annually.
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- Race and Equity: Now part of Human Resources, preserving equity work and saving $460,000 annually.
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- Child and Youth Success: Moved to the Library’s Youth and Family Services Division, saving $265,000 annually.
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- Cultural Affairs: Now a division within Economic Development, where its grant activity aligns with ongoing efforts.
- Additional Management Reductions: We’ve eliminated 16 additional vacant management positions, reducing overhead costs by $2.8 million each year.
In total, the operational efficiencies enacted today result in a reduction of 31 positions and will yield an annual savings of $5.3 million.
While these decisions are not easy, they are necessary to protect essential services and maintain our City’s fiscal health. My team and I remain committed to transparency, responsible fiscal management, and putting residents’ needs first as we navigate these budget challenges together.
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Expanding Homeless Shelters for Women, Families, and Seniors to Get Off the Street
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The City and our San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) are adding 210 shelter beds for women, their children, and seniors experiencing homelessness.
The new Rachel’s Promise Center for Women and Children, to be operated by Catholic Charities, Diocese of San Diego, will replace the existing 40-bed Rachel’s Promise shelter set to close this summer. This expansion builds on recent efforts that added 263 shelter beds across three facilities, helping maintain and grow capacity following the closure of Golden Hall.
This also builds on the work we’ve done over the past four years to more than double shelter options and help nearly 5,000 people move into housing.
The proposed 210-bed facility will provide residents with meals, showers, case management, therapy, life skills classes, and help accessing public benefits. It will offer congregate, semi-congregate, and non-congregate layouts to meet diverse needs.
This proposed expansion reflects my ongoing commitment to building a robust, compassionate response to homelessness in collaboration with SDHC, the City Council and homelessness service providers.
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Air Purifier Distribution Program to Support Residents Affected by Cross-Border Pollution
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The Air Improvement Relief Effort (AIRE) Program will provide 10,000 households with air purifiers and replacement filters, prioritizing families with children, seniors, and those living closest to the valley. Residents of Otay Mesa West, San Ysidro, Egger Highlands, Nestor, Tijuana River Valley, and Imperial Beach are eligible for the program.
The program is a direct result of reforms from AB 423, a bill I authored during my time in the State Assembly to expand and diversify the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) governing board. This bill gave local communities a stronger voice in air quality decisions, paving the way for initiatives like AIRE that directly address environmental justice.
Residents who previously joined the County of San Diego’s 2024 pilot program will be notified first. Others can apply for air purifiers through the SDAPCD website at sdapcd.org/filters.
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GETTING IT DONE - FIXING OUR STREETS
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New Life for Ashford Street in Clairemont with In-House Road Repairs
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The City’s in-house mill and pave teams recently completed a 1.2-mile segment of Ashford Street in Clairemont, where pavement condition index (PCI) scores were as low as 19. These Transportation Department teams target smaller sections of especially damaged roadways using street condition data and service reports to guide their work. The permanent repairs made by these teams improve street conditions and reduce the need for future pothole patching, ensuring safer, smoother roads for years to come.
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Breaking Ground on Pride Promenade in Hillcrest
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Construction is officially underway on Pride Promenade, a new pedestrian-friendly space along Normal Street that will celebrate the heart of San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community. The project will expand Pride Plaza, add a children’s play area, and create safer walking and biking paths while honoring Hillcrest’s rich history. This community-driven project reflects our city’s commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and pride.
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Young Leaders Begin Public Service Journey
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I welcomed 56 new interns to Employ & Empower’s Winter Civics Program at City Hall. This eight-week internship offers local high school and college students real-world experience alongside City employees while exploring careers in public service. Interns come from schools across San Diego, representing diverse communities and bringing fresh perspectives to City government. It was inspiring to see their enthusiasm for learning how they can help make San Diego better for all of us.
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Genesis Invitational Comes to Torrey Pines
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This prestigious PGA tournament, relocated from its hometown of Los Angeles to San Diego while impacted L.A. neighborhoods continue to recover from the recent wildfires, showcased our city's ability to host world-class events while supporting our neighbors in need. Even with some rain, thousands of visitors enjoyed the iconic Torrey Pines backdrop, boosting our local economy and highlighting San Diego’s leadership in tourism and hospitality.
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SAN DIEGO ON THE GLOBAL STAGE
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Promoting Economic Partnership and Cultural Connectivity with the Philippines
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I recently led a delegation to the Philippines to strengthen San Diego’s economic, defense, and cultural ties with the country. As the first person of Filipino heritage elected as San Diego's Mayor, this visit held deep personal significance. San Diego County is home to 215,000 Filipino-Americans — the second-highest concentration in the nation — who are vital to our City’s multicultural fabric and diverse economy.
During the visit, I pitched San Diego investment opportunities to the three largest chambers of commerce in the Philippines, representing over 3,000 businesses, many now eager to explore investments in our communities. I also advocated for a direct flight between Manila and San Diego — with an average of 184 travelers between our cities daily.
In meetings with senior Philippines military leadership, including the head of the Armed Forces, I championed San Diego-based defense companies, encouraging further investment to drive local job creation. Additionally, I honored our shared military history by leading a wreath-laying ceremony at the Manila American Cemetery for the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Manila, commemorating the sacrifices of U.S. servicemembers.
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Helping Building Owners Meet Energy Benchmarking Requirements
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The City of San Diego is offering a series of free webinars through April 23, plus in-person office hours to help building owners and facility managers comply with the City’s Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance. The webinars will cover the basics of energy benchmarking, compliance steps, and reporting systems like ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and BEAM. In-person office hours at the San Diego Central Library will provide hands-on support. Register here.
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Know Your Flood Risk and Stay Prepared
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Thousands of homes in San Diego are built in floodplains, making it essential to understand your risk. Flooding can happen year-round, so take steps to stay informed and prepared. Check if your home is in a floodplain by visiting FEMA’s map service and view local flood-prone areas on the City’s stormwater maps.
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Help Shape San Diego’s Streets
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The City’s updated Street Design Manual is now available for public review and comment. This update focuses on creating safer, more accessible streets for all users—pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders. Your input will help shape the future of our roadways. Submit your comments here.
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Free Compost Giveaway Events Support Sustainable Gardening
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San Diegans can pick up free, nutrient-rich compost for their gardens, thanks to the City’s partnership with I Love A Clean San Diego. Compost is available year-round at Miramar Greenery, and special giveaway events make it even easier to access. The next event is on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Mt. Hope Community Garden. Register here. Help your garden thrive while keeping organic waste out of landfills!
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Extend the Life of Your Belongings at a Fixit Clinic
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Don’t toss your broken items—repair them instead! Fixit Clinics, hosted by the City’s Environmental Services Department and Zero Waste San Diego, offer free workshops where skilled volunteers help fix household items like lamps, bikes, and clothing.
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