Fiscal Year 2027 began July 1. This year’s budget delivers more – without raising or adding new revenues – than most thought possible at the start of this process last fall. 

 

The FY27 budget, unanimously adopted by Council and signed by the Mayor in June, makes meaningful progress towards the City’s structural deficit without leaving neighborhoods behind. 
 
My North Stars were preserving core services, making City Hall more efficient, and ending the cycle of deferred stormwater maintenance. With your support, I secured public safety and public spaces in District 1 and improved governance city-wide. As Council President, I led with Budget Chair Henry Foster, to ensure discussions were civil and productive. By respecting the public, city employees, and fellow elected officials, we achieved a budget process that was transparent, civil, and productive. 
 

There is more work to be done and hard decisions ahead. I will continue to advocate for prudent fiscal policies and responsible governance that delivers for District 1 and all San Diegans. 

Parking at City-owned lots near beaches and bays should remain free. I joined KUSI’s “Good Morning, San Diego” with my Council colleague, Councilmember Campillo, to discuss our proposal to codify a ban on parking fees in our municipal lots.  

 

While there is no formal proposal on the table to add paid parking at those lots, enshrining a prohibition ensures we won’t be distracted during future budget deliberations. We have difficult decisions ahead, let’s not be distracted by conversations we know the public will not support.  

 

We will bring this proposal to the Rules Committee on August 28th, and upon passage, I expect it will move to the full City Council for consideration in September.  

I fought to include Community Projects, Programs, and Services (CPPS) and Arts, Culture, and Community Festivals (ACCF) funding in the Adopted Fiscal Year 2027 Budget. These discretionary funds support community organizations, events, and meet community needs. In Fiscal Year 2026, I authorized the expenditure of these funds for Del Mar Mesa Habitat restoration, La Jolla Art and Wine Festival, PAESAN, Northwestern RSVP Unit equipment, and more. I further leveraged the CPPS program to enhance pedestrian safety, install e-bike regulation signage on our boardwalks, and perform streetlight repairs. 

 

Check out the virtual and in-training sessions, especially if this is your first time pursuing a grant. CPPS and ACCF grant program applications will be open from July 7 to August 7, 2026.