San Diego County Supervisors Approve 2019-20 Budget

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved a $6.25 billion annual budget that includes more money for mental health treatment, aid for the homeless and juvenile justice.

Broken down, the fiscal year 2019-20 spending plan includes $2 billion for public safety, $2.3 billion for health and human services, $1.3 billion for finance and general government and $651 million for land use and environment.

Ebony Shelton, director of the Office of Financial Planning, said there is also more money for additional law enforcement, personnel in the Health and Human Services department, emergent public health issues and public assistance. The county can also offer wildfire prevention incentives to homeowners, more immigrant services and emergency housing for people in need, she added.

According to Supervisor Nathan Fletcher's office, the budget includes 441 new full-time county positions, most in the Health and Human Services Agency, but also for an environmental grant writer, four veterans services positions, six people to work in homeless outreach, three people to support the Climate Action Plan; nine additional Air Pollution Control District positions, and one additional refugee health coordinator.

Other budget additions include $7 million for habitat and species protection, $200,000 for the Public Defender's office to provide specialized immigration counsel, $500,000 for the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Program, and $1.2 million for incentive grants for more eco-friendly agricultural equipment.

Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said that with its emphasis on better social services, the budget is "strong step in the right direction" and shows that county officials listened to the public. Earlier this month, supervisors heard from residents who asked for money for immigrant services, more affordable housing and support for seniors.

Board Chairwoman Dianne Jacob said "bold ideas are being turned into action." Jacob said she's pleased with the additions to the budget and more staff, but emphasized it requires results and holding people accountable.

She praised Chief Administrative Office Helen Robbins-Meyer and her colleagues for crunching the numbers so that the county can make a lasting impact on overall quality of life, but also said there are limitations on programs and services.

"A lack of discipline is what gets a government into trouble," Jacob said.

Supervisor Greg Cox said that when he joined the board in 1995, the county was in bad financial shape, with crumbling facilities. The latest budget reflects the changing realities, he added.

Supervisor Jim Desmond said his district, especially in unincorporated areas, is getting $23 million worth of capital projects, including fire stations and a new river park.

He added that he's glad the budget contains an additional $21 million for pension stabilization.

Total county pension costs are expected to increase $933 million by fiscal early 2025, and "we need to put real money into the future," Desmond said.

Paola Martinez-Montes, of the Invest in San Diego Families Coalition, said the county ignored community-focused investments for many years. She said that she and others are happy that the budget reflects some of their wishes, but it is still not enough.

"We will keep fighting to make sure that the board invests in a San Diego that works for everyone," Martinez-Montes said.

– City News Service