Dear Neighbor, 

With the results of the November election now certified, we are preparing for the year ahead. I am honored to have been re-elected as your Mayor and am immediately working to reimagine city operations given the financial challenges our city faces due to Measure E—the proposed 1 percent sales tax increase—not passing. 

The City of San Diego faces a $258 million deficit in our General Fund for the upcoming fiscal year. This structural deficit, which has been worsened by global inflation and other factors, requires immediate action and difficult decisions to ensure that we can continue providing the core services San Diegans need and deserve. 

We have already implemented critical cost-saving measures, including a hiring freeze for all but essential positions, suspension of non-essential spending, and the review and prioritization of capital projects to focus only on those already under construction. These steps are necessary to stabilize our budget as we begin the process of reimagining how the City operates and delivers services. 

Despite these financial challenges, my priorities remain the same: addressing homelessness, building more homes, repairing and maintaining public infrastructure, and ensuring that San Diego remains one of the safest big cities in America. This will be a collaborative effort, working alongside the City Council, civic organizations, and residents like you to develop a balanced budget that positions our City for long-term stability and success. 

San Diego has faced significant challenges before, and together, we’ve always found a way forward. I am committed to leading us through this process and ensuring our city emerges stronger and more resilient. 

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

San Diego’s iconic Botanical Building in Balboa Park has reopened following an extensive restoration that brings the iconic structure back to its original design from the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. 

The $26.45 million project, funded in part by an $8 million state grant, included structural improvements, redwood lath replacement, historic window arcade reconstruction, accessibility enhancements, and more. 

Home to more than 2,100 plants, the Botanical Building has long showcased an extraordinary array of rare and tropical flora, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Phase I of the project focused on restoring the building itself, while Phase II, led by Forever Balboa Park, will enhance the surrounding landscaping and historic pergola. 

As of today, the Botanical Building has resumed its regular operating hours, providing San Diegans and visitors alike with an inspiring destination to connect with horticulture and history. 

This restoration was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the City, nonprofit partners like Forever Balboa Park, and the leadership of advocates such as Senate President pro Tem Emerita Toni Atkins. Together, these partnerships have given San Diego a timeless holiday gift and a vibrant space for reflection, education, and enjoyment. 

This revitalization ensures the Botanical Building remains a symbol of San Diego’s rich history and natural beauty for future generations. 

New data from the Regional Task Force on Homelessness highlights progress in addressing homelessness and housing in San Diego. 

For every 14 individuals who experienced homelessness for the first time, 10 were successfully housed over the past year—a 14% improvement from the previous year. Between October 2023 and September 2024, 10 people found housing for every 14 who became homeless for the first time—an improvement from the previous year when that ratio was 10 to 16. 

Through focused homeless outreach efforts and our City’s pro-housing policies, this data shows how we are moving people off the streets and preventing homelessness before it starts. The numbers reflects the hard work of frontline staff, service providers and regional partners committed to preventing and ending homelessness. 

• Also in the most recent edition of my homelessness and housing newsletter, you can learn about how the City is expanding shelter capacity, supporting pet-friendly programs for the furry friends of people experiencing homelessness, and find out about ways you can get involved this holiday season to help combat homelessness and provide safe housing for all. 

The City of San Diego has been recognized with the "Outstanding Urban Forestry Climate Equity Program" award by the San Diego Regional Urban Forests Council for our “Trees For Communities Project,” which plants new trees in historically underserved communities. 

This honor celebrates the City’s innovative contributions to urban forestry and our dedication to promoting environmental stewardship and equity across our communities. 

The award acknowledges our work enhancing tree canopy coverage and improving climate resilience in underserved neighborhoods. By prioritizing tree planting and maintenance efforts in areas most impacted by climate change, the City is addressing both environmental and social equity challenges. 

The City of San Diego recently released the draft Coastal Resilience Master Plan and is asking community members for their input. 

Climate change is accelerating sea level rise, which increases the risk of coastal flooding and erosion, particularly during storm events. The draft Coastal Resilience Master Plan addresses sea level rise-driven challenges by prioritizing nature-based solutions. Examples of nature-based solutions can include habitat restoration, engineered and passive dunes, and waterfront parks, among other options. 

The draft plan considers six locations for nature-based solutions projects: La Jolla Shores, Tourmaline Surf Park, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach – Dog Beach, Ocean Beach – Beachfront (Pier) and Sunset Cliffs. For each project site, a high-level concept design is proposed. 

San Diegans can provide their input through an online survey or by emailing ClimateResilientSD@sandiego.gov. 

A draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) is also available for review. Input can be emailed to PlanningCEQA@sandiego.gov. Both the draft Coastal Resilience Master Plan and PEIR are available for public feedback until Jan. 5, 2025. Feedback received through the public review period will then be incorporated into the plan and PEIR. 

The Midway Rising team is working to transform the iconic San Diego Sports Arena into a vibrant hub for our community. 

You’re invited to join an informational workshop to learn about the team’s vision, recent milestones, and the path forward. 

Workshop Details: 

Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2024 
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. 
Location: Pacific Highlands Ranch Library 
12911 Pacific Pl, San Diego, CA 92130 

Complimentary parking available on site. 

Please RSVP in advance here.  

The Midway Rising project will bring 2,000 new affordable homes and a mixed-use entertainment center to benefit San Diegans and the broader region. 

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department is gearing up for the summer of 2025 by recruiting seasonal lifeguards. To qualify for an interview, candidates must swim 500 meters in under 10 minutes. Swim tryouts are scheduled for Jan. 16, 17, 18, 2025, at 8 a.m. at Ventura Cove. 

With over 40 miles of shoreline to patrol, SDFD lifeguards are essential to ensuring the safety of millions of residents and visitors. Interested candidates should apply online two weeks before their tryout date.