Water rates and redevelopment are hot topics in San Diego that draw strong reactions around the city. The city council will consider both at its meeting this afternoon.
On redevelopment, Councilman Kevin Faulconer will ask his colleagues to support a resolution opposing Governor Jerry Brown’s proposal that redevelopment agencies be eliminated. Faulconer represents downtown San Diego which has been transformed through redevelopment dollars.
“Redevelopment is so critical, not only for downtown when we’re talking about projects like the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan and the one-stop-shop homeless shelter we’ve been working on,” he said. “But also redevelopment projects happening in other parts of the city in our 17 redevelopment project areas.”
Also at the meeting the council will consider whether to approve a nearly 6 percent increase in water rates. If approved, the higher rates would go into effect in March.
At a special evening meeting, the council will consider the final report from the Citizens' Revenue Review and Economic Competitiveness Commission. The group was tasked with forming recommendations that would protect core city services. Among those recommendations: a charge for trash pick-up and increased storm water fees. The group met for about a year and held public meetings to get input from citizens.
San Diego has a structural budget deficit, meaning it continually spends more money than it takes in.
