Politics & Government
San Diego County Seeking Public Feedback On 2026-27 Budget
The new budget will take effect July 1, pending approval by the Board of Supervisors.
SAN DIEGO, CA — San Diego County has launched a website that will give residents a say in creating the new budget for fiscal year 2026-27, officials announced Thursday. .
The new budget will take effect July 1, pending approval by the Board of Supervisors. Last June, supervisors approved an $8.63 billion budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
The website, engage.sandiegocounty.gov/county-budget-2026-28, will remain open through March 22, according to a Wednesday news release.
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The county provides services to unincorporated communities including public safety, housing, food assistance, building permits, animal shelters, parks, libraries, health care, behavioral health and infrastructure.
The survey will let residents "rank the county's budget priorities in order of importance," officials said.
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Residents may also "choose how they want to stay informed about a budget process -- by email, text or some other form of communication," officials said.
While government officials seek public feedback on about programs and services throughout the year, "The process of seeking budget-focused input to help inform budget deliberations kicks into high gear" between January and June, according to the county.
"Other considerations include program and service delivery data, available resources, the local economy and availability of state and federal funding," according to the county.
The state and federal government funding accounts for roughly one-half of the county's budget -- with that money legally only allowed for specific programs. Property taxes, service fees and other sources provide the other 50% of the county budget.
County officials are expected to release a recommended budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year on May 1.
Following that, residents can submit comments through June 11 on Engage San Diego County or attend community meetings either in-person or and virtually. The Board of Supervisors will hold a public budget hearing on June 1 to formally approve the budget on June 23.
More information is available by calling 619-531-5434 or going to sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/openbudget/en/home.html.
— City News Service
