San Diego is in the middle of crafting a budget for the coming fiscal year. Independent Budget Analyst Andrea Tevlin today presented her office’s review of the proposed budget to the city council.
The report says phasing browned-out fire engines back into service over two years instead of one would free up more money for libraries and recreation centers, which could see their hours cut in half. Tevlin said it’s about setting priorities.
“This is all about choices, as you know. And, again, these are options that we all need to continue to look at,” she said.
Already several councilmembers have said they won’t support the mayor’s plan to cut library and rec center hours. But Chief Operating Officer Jay Goldstone said not following the mayor’s recommendations could lead to larger deficits in coming years.
“As you begin your budget hearings and ultimately the budget deliberations, I only ask that you use balance and control when deciding which alternatives are feasible and practical, and which alternatives require a more cautious approach,” he said.
While the city is just beginning the budget process for fiscal year 2012, fiscal year 2013 is just around the corner.
Mayor Sanders projects a budget deficit of $41 million in 2013. The Independent Budget Analyst agrees with that projection. However, the IBA report said the general economic outlook for San Diego is improving. It calls an estimated three percent increase in sales and hotel taxes conservative.
