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Budget Analyst: San Diego's Income Doesn't Match Expenses

San Diego's budget analyst says the city's budget has a long term problem: its income doesn't match its expenses, even in the good years. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

Budget Analyst: San Diego's Income Doesn't Match Expenses

San Diego's budget analyst says the city's budget has a long term problem: its income doesn't match its expenses, even in the good years. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

The city has already spent $200 million more this year than it has raised in revenues, and the fiscal year is only half way through.

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Andrea Tevlin is San Diego city's independent budget analyst. She says, instead of focusing on fixing the budget deficit each year, the city council should tackle the built-in gap between revenues and expenses.

Tevlin: If you step back from the annual budget process and look at patterns that are developing over several years, you begin to draw conclusions that some new solutions may be necessary for the future.

Some members of the council's budget committee say it's time to explain to voters they must lower their expectations of what the city can provide in services. 

Others say the solution is to ask residents to pay for trash service or vote for higher taxes.

Alison St John KPBS News.