Budget Brings New Spending to South County

Media
31 minutes ago
2 min read

The big news happened earlier today.

San Diego County Supervisors approved a $9.2 billion budget, including $523 million in added spending. Supervisors dipped into the county’s reserves to pay for some of the new spending.

Supervisor Paloma Aguirre highlighted several new or bolstered initiatives that she said would benefit South County.

Initiatives include $20 million for unspecified cleanup projects in the Tijuana River, along with $2.5 million to help fix a notorious hot spot on the river that churns up sewage-laden water and creates toxic fumes.

Aguirre has worked in recent months to secure additional state funds to speed up the hot spot fix.

The budget also funds 122 new social service workers. The workers will help lower-income residents navigate new rules designed by federal officials to make it harder for people to access federally funded food and healthcare programs.

Other initiatives include funds to bolster affordable housing, a program to develop housing earmarked for immigrants, continued funding for immigrant legal defense services and initial steps toward creating a new county department focused on youth development.

“This budget delivers real money for real solutions. Today, South County wins.” —Supervisor Paloma Aguirre, District 1

It should be noted that a recent San Diego County Taxpayers Association analysis of the county budget found supervisors’ increased spending and use of reserve funds risks putting the county on what the report called an unsustainable fiscal trajectory.

In her comments following passage of the budget, Aguirre seemed aware of the criticism.

“Our reserves are fully funded, our credit rating is strong and we are laser focused on helping communities in need,” she said.