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Public Safety

San Diegans Asked To Help Close City Deficit

A San Diego city budget meeting being held in Golden Hill this evening is the opening salvo to what promises to be one of the most difficult budget years in the city's history.

This time last year the city of San Diego was facing an $80 million deficit and that looked large. This year the deficit has more than doubled. The public meeting tonight is designed to give residents a chance to hear the mayor's assessment and give their input.

"The council wanted to really be proactive in getting community input up front and early in regard to the huge budget deficit of $179 million that the city is facing," says Councilman Kevin Faulconer, who serves on the city's budget committee.

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Last year public protests prevented libraries from being closed. But this year the mayor says all departments, including public safety, will see cuts. Four more public meetings about the budget are scheduled before the end of the year and the mayor has warned that layoffs may have to begin as early as January.

San Diegans Asked To Help Close City Deficit
A San Diego city budget meeting being held in Golden Hill this evening is the opening salvo to what promises to be one of the most difficult budget years in the city's history

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