The City of San Diego, like other cities nationwide, is under fiscal pressure. I've acted to reduce spending and limit the impact. 

The biggest step I’ve taken is simple: since December 15, I’ve hit pause on most City hiring. 

Here’s what that means: If a position is vacant or becomes vacant, it does not automatically get filled. Unless it’s a public safety role like a police officer or firefighter, department directors must submit a request explaining why that position is necessary right now. I make the final call to ensure every hiring decision aligns with your priorities. 

This approach is already making a difference. Combined with other actions, we’ve reduced this year’s projected shortfall from about $16.8 million to roughly $1.8 million. That puts us in better shape when dealing with projected deficit for the next budget.  

Holding positions vacant can mean slower timelines for maintenance, programming, and operations, and asking more of our existing workforce. My team is tracking those impacts closely, and when core services are at risk, we will reassess. 

I’ve been clear with City staff that we must model fiscal discipline in this moment. That means saying no to spending we can’t sustain so we can protect the services San Diegans rely on most. Every vacancy, every dollar, and every decision is being evaluated carefully as we work to keep our city on solid financial footing. 

I joined fellow mayors as part of the California Big City Mayors coalition to call on state leaders to protect funding that is essential to reducing homelessness. 

The California Big City Mayors coalition is a group of mayors from the state’s 13 largest cities, each with populations over 300,000. Together, we represent more than a quarter of California’s residents and lead the frontline work to reduce homelessness, expand shelter, and build more housing in our communities.  

In Sacramento, we came together with a clear message: the state must restore full funding for the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program and make it a stable, ongoing investment. 

These funds have helped us expand shelter, support outreach teams, and move people off the streets and into stable housing. 

Statewide, they’ve helped reduce unsheltered homelessness, add thousands of shelter beds, and serve more than 150,000 people.  

But proposed cuts would have real consequences here at home. In San Diego, losing this funding would force the closure of two youth shelters and eliminate other life-changing services that vulnerable residents rely on.  

San Diego’s future depends on tackling our housing crisis head-on. That means continuing to build more housing, sustain the programs that are working, and partner with the state to ensure there is a roof over the head of every San Diegan at a price they can afford. 

I signed a resolution to continue the state-funded Employ & Empower program, extending opportunities for young San Diegans to gain paid, real-world experience in public service. 

Now in its fifth year, this program has already helped more than 1,400 young people build skills, earn a paycheck, and explore careers across City departments—from public safety to engineering, parks, and libraries. Just as important, 15 percent of participants have gone on to secure permanent jobs with the City, creating a strong pipeline into public service. 

This program is fully funded through the State’s Youth Service Corps, meaning it delivers real results for San Diego residents with no impact on the City’s budget. It’s a smart investment that allows us to create opportunities so every San Diegan can succeed while maintaining fiscal discipline. 

Employ and Empower focuses on reaching young people who face barriers to employment, including those from communities with fewer opportunities, veterans and military families, and individuals overcoming personal challenges. The majority of participants come from neighborhoods where access to opportunity has historically been limited. 

Our city is stronger when we invest in the people who make it run. By continuing this program, we’re opening doors, building a more inclusive workforce, and preparing the next generation to lead San Diego. 

In last week’s trivia feature, we asked: San Diego is known for its stunning coastline and ocean views. Approximately how many miles of coastline does the City of San Diego have? 

Here’s how you voted: 

▪️ 70 miles — 53.17% (67) 
▪️ 40 miles — 34.92% (44) 
✅▪️ 17 miles — 12.70% (16) 

The correct answer is 17 miles for the City of San Diego. If you selected 70 miles, you’re thinking of the entire San Diego County coastline, which is also correct. This one was a bit of a trick question, and whether you chose 17 or 70, you clearly know your San Diego coastline. 

This week’s question: In recognition of March 31, which is in the process of being renamed Farmworkers Day, which crop is San Diego County the nation’s leading producer of? 

▪️ Avocados 
▪️ Strawberries 
▪️ Tomatoes 

Answer below or send your guess to AskTheMayor@sandiego.gov and check back next week to see if you got it right. 

Work continues to improve neighborhood streets in Tierrasanta, where crews recently completed slurry seal across several roads. This preventative maintenance us one of the most efficient ways to maintain our infrastructure and deliver visible results in communities. 

We know potholes are a persistent issue in every neighborhood, and staying on top of them requires partnership. I encourage San Diegans to keep reporting potholes and other issues through the Get It Done app so our crews can respond quickly and keep streets safe and well maintained. 

Starting this week, the City of San Diego will begin delivering new light blue recycling bins to households eligible for City-provided trash and recycling service. The updated bins are more durable, easier to identify, and equipped with scannable tags to improve service reliability and accountability. 

Deliveries will take place on regular collection days and continue citywide over several months, with some households receiving their bins later this year. Crews will also remove older dark blue bins, which will be recycled and repurposed. Residents can expect notifications ahead of their delivery and can look up their estimated timeline online. 

After customers receive their new light blue recycling bins, the City will collect only from those new bins. Until then, the City will continue servicing old containers to avoid disruption in customer service. Collection of recycling materials will remain bi-weekly. Weekly recycling service will begin July 1, 2027. 

San Diego is taking action to protect residents from the growing impacts of extreme heat, and community organizations are invited to be part of the solution. The City Planning Department, in partnership with the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative, is developing an Extreme Heat Action Plan focused on reducing risks for vulnerable populations. 

As part of this effort, nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply for the Community-Driven Design Series, which will support groups serving youth and older adults in creating heat reduction strategies for their programs and operations. Selected organizations will collaborate with City staff and regional partners to develop community-based solutions, and each participating group will receive $5,000 in funding. 

Applications close April 17. Learn more and apply today. 

There is important relief available for San Diego homeowners impacted by the 2024 storms and flooding. 

The Governor’s Office has confirmed that the January 2024 San Diego flood qualifies under the expanded CalAssist Mortgage Fund program. That means eligible disaster-affected homeowners may now receive up to 12 months of mortgage payments, paid directly to their mortgage servicer, with assistance totaling up to $100,000 that does not need to be repaid. 

The expansion increases the relief period from three months to a full year and broadens income eligibility so more families can qualify. This support is designed to help homeowners stabilize while they rebuild, navigate insurance claims, and recover from disaster impacts. 

Homeowners can review the full list of qualified disasters and apply at www.calassistmortgagefund.org. 

Downtown’s Civic Center Plaza is getting a vibrant refresh with Plaza Central — a new series of pop-up events bringing food, music, and art to the heart of the city. The activations are free and open to the public every Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering a lively preview of the area’s long-term revitalization. 

 
Learn more about Plaza Central events.