Independent Budget Analyst Andrea Tevlin has issued her final report on the city’s spending plan for next year. In it she recommends libraries, recreation centers and pools all remain funded at current levels.
The services would be paid for through cuts in other areas, such as reducing overtime for non-public safety employees.
Tevlin does not suggest restoring all of the city’s browned-out fire engines immediately, but rather agrees with the mayor that the engines should be restored gradually. She said doing so would allow San Diego to help bolster its financial reserves.
She said the city is making some financial progress.
"I think we’re certainly on the right path," she said. "Of course you never know exactly what’s going to happen with the economy. But I think we’re getting closer than we have been in a long time to having a balanced budget situation."
The city council will vote on the 2011-2012 budget next week. It then goes to the mayor for final approval.
