Dear Neighbor,

I have released my proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which carefully delivers on key priorities while also maintaining core services despite a challenging fiscal climate.

The proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget reflects my commitment to making strategic decisions today to safeguard the progress and investments we’ve made to improve our infrastructure and services.

The City is facing reduced revenues and rising costs, which means we had to make tough, yet necessary decisions to ensure we can continue to move San Diego forward. We prioritized the things that matter most to San Diegans, continuing the progress we’ve made in key areas, including homelessness, housing, road repair, and public safety.

Significant investments in the proposed budget include $104.6 million for major street resurfacing and $85.1 million for stormwater projects. Additionally, we're bolstering our ongoing work on homelessness with a $26.6 million increase in funding to bring more people off the street and into shelter.

Preventing and solving homelessness also requires more housing, and the proposed budget supports my ongoing efforts to speed up the creation of affordable and middle-income homes near transit by funding the personnel we need for 30-day reviews of projects under our successful Affordable Housing Permit Now and Complete Communities Now programs.

Ensuring the safety of our communities remains a top priority, which is why the budget also includes thoughtful investments in our Police and Fire-Rescue departments that allow us to keep providing these core services while also reducing costs.

Balancing this year’s challenging budget did require some reductions. These decisions were difficult but crucial steps that have allowed us to preserve the services San Diegans depend on most – like keeping our recreation centers, libraries and pools open and maintaining neighborhood police patrols, staffing our fire stations and keeping up our street repair program.

I look forward to presenting this budget to the City Council and hearing from you, our community, as we refine and finalize our plans.  

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

An Estimated 194 Households in County’s Lodging Program Have Yet to Apply for FEMA Assistance  

In the aftermath of the January 22 storm, my administration has been working tirelessly alongside federal and state partners to ensure that impacted San Diegans have access to resources they need for recovery.

We secured a Major Disaster Declaration, opening up critical Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds for our community, and the deadline for San Diegans to apply for those funds is fast approaching.

I urge all affected residents and businesses to apply for federal disaster assistance by April 19.

To date, over 2,600 households have received approximately $20 million in aid, covering essential needs from short-term rental assistance to home repairs. This support is crucial in our city’s rebuilding efforts. Additionally, more than $252,000 has been allocated to local small businesses and nonprofits through our Emergency Response and Resilience Grant program, with funds still available.

Our teams have been on the ground in the hardest-hit neighborhoods, coordinating volunteer cleanup efforts and facilitating access to City resources. We’ve waived permit fees for building and demolition and launched a Debris Assistance Program to aid in the removal of storm-related debris and the rebuilding process.

However, an estimated 194 households currently participating in the county’s lodging program have yet to apply for this crucial FEMA assistance, so there’s still more work to do to reach everyone who was impacted by the storm.

If you know someone whose property was damaged in the flood, please let them know the deadline is approaching. We want to ensure no one misses the opportunity to access these vital funds.

Learn more on Inside San Diego.

Paving the Way: San Diego's Road to Better Streets 

We have made a significant step forward in our journey to improve San Diego's road network.

Our City's Transportation Department has developed a comprehensive Pavement Management Plan, a result of meticulous assessments of every street segment in San Diego.

This plan will serve as our roadmap to revitalizing our streets, informed by the latest data and geared towards strategic investments that get the most bang for our bucks

The Pavement Management Plan is not just a collection of data; it's a call to action. It highlights the urgent need for substantial funding to address years of underinvestment that led to the current state of our roads.

This year, we've allocated a record $140 million towards street repairs, focusing on high-volume roadways and filling over 61,300 potholes. Those numbers serve as a testament to our commitment to this critical issue.

However, the plan also points to a consistent funding gap that threatens our progress. We're grappling with a projected $227.8 million requirement in fiscal year 2025 to maintain our roads in good condition, far surpassing the anticipated $52.1 million we receive from state and county sources.

In other words: There’s a huge funding gap between what the City currently has to address our streets and what we really need to get our streets into good shape. That’s why Councilmember Campillo and I are spearheading the push to put a one-cent sales tax increase on the November ballot, which would help us repave our streets and address other critical infrastructure needs.

Together, we're laying the foundation for safer, smoother streets across San Diego.

Learn more on Inside San Diego.

Hillcrest’s Harmony: Balancing Housing and LGBTQ+ Culture 

In every growing city, fostering growth while preserving cultural heritage is paramount, especially in vibrant communities like Hillcrest.

Known for its rich LGBTQ+ history and nightlife, as Hillcrest continues to grow and welcome new housing development, it’s up to us to include cultural preservation in the neighborhood’s future.

Our efforts to balance these aspects are embodied in the proposed Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment, which includes the establishment of an LGBTQ+ cultural district. This initiative not only honors Hillcrest's legacy through public art and historical acknowledgment, but also integrates protections for the neighborhood’s unique character amid new development.  

These measures ensure that the essence of Hillcrest's LGBTQ+ culture thrives alongside urban growth. While the plan includes provisions for higher-density housing to address San Diego's urgent need for more homes, it carefully considers the community's character.

Preserving Hillcrest’s cultural identity while welcoming new growth is a commitment we make with pride. The Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment is a testament to the City’s dedication to thoughtful urban planning that honors our diverse communities.

I look forward to seeing this plan come to life.

Read more about the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment on KPBS.

Stronger Together: San Diego's Stand Against Human Trafficking 

San Diego stands united against human trafficking.

The recently released results of Operation Better Pathways are a testament to our collective resolve to combat human trafficking and sexual exploitation in our region.

In a joint effort led by the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, this operation has made significant strides in our ongoing battle to protect the most vulnerable members of our community.

Thanks to the diligent work of our multi-jurisdictional team, 46 individuals were arrested on charges related to human trafficking and sexual exploitation, with 20 individuals, including seven children, being offered critical support services.

This operation — a collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies — is a clear demonstration of our unwavering commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and providing survivors with the support they desperately need.

Learn more about the operation here.  

Young Leaders Visit City Hall 

I welcomed students from La Jolla Country Day School to City Hall recently. Sharing insights on local governance and our roles as elected officials is always fun for public servants like me. It's truly inspiring to see young people so eager to learn about public service and their potential to leave San Diego better than they found it.

Championing Choice: Celebrating Planned Parenthood's Service 

Marking Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest's 61 years of providing vital services to our region, I stood in unity with donors, community partners, and advocates, reaffirming our commitment to fighting for, and protecting, reproductive health rights. In an era where these rights face so many challenges, it’s more important than ever to support organizations like Planned Parenthood that are true champions for choice.

Empowering Future Firefighters

It was a privilege to welcome bright young campers and their families at the Girls Empowerment Camp hosted by our San Diego Fire Department Training Center. This camp plays a crucial role in introducing teens to firefighting and public safety careers, providing them with hands-on experience and life skills that nurture their professional growth and empower them to pursue their ambitions with confidence.

Promoting Peace: Honoring NCRC Peacemakers 

At the National Conflict Resolution Center's annual event, I joined community and civic leaders to honor dedicated peacemakers who are helping transform our neighborhoods into more kind and welcoming places. NCRC’s 36th Annual Peacemakers Awards commended those who craft positive change and exemplify the power of mediation and conflict resolution in creating a more peaceful world.  

Electric Truck Crosses Border 

I spoke at a press conference marking a monumental leap in sustainability—the historic U.S.-Mexico border crossing of the first-ever Class 8 heavy-duty electric freight truck. In collaboration with SDG&E and Bali Express, this event marks a new era of eco-conscious transportation and a big step towards our goal for a greener future. The historic crossing of this electric freight truck symbolizes San Diego’s commitment to innovation, cross-border cooperation and our binational community.