The County of San Diego released a $9.16 billion revised recommended budget Friday, reflecting public feedback and recommendations from the Chief Administrative Officer.
The revised recommended fiscal year 2026-27 budget, also known as the change letter, is $3.8 million, or 0.04%, larger than the recommended budget the County released May 18. It is also $522 million, or 6.1%, larger than the County’s current 2025-26 budget.
The revised recommended budget is scheduled for consideration and adoption by the County Board of Supervisors on Thursday, June 25.
Changes to May 18 Recommended Budget
While the updates reflect new spending, the largest adjustments are internal shifts. As the County transitions Behavioral Health Services (BHS) into its own department, the change letter transfers an additional $15.3 million and 31 positions from the Health and Human Services Agency to support the BHS transition. In total the proposed Behavioral Health budget is $1.4 billion, up $156 million, or 12.4% from the existing budget for behavioral health.
The revised plan adds one full-time equivalent position in the Sheriff’s Office, bringing total County staffing in the revised recommended budget to 20,389.25 full-time equivalent years, an increase of 109 over the current fiscal year.
Additionally, changes include investments of $0.5 million to extend the ¡Mas Fresco! Plus program and $0.25 million to conduct a feasibility study for a department of youth development. There is also a $2.8 million increase for the County’s Department of Public Works, covering contracted services for utilities and for road improvements.
Stability, Core Services and Community Needs
County officials said the proposed budget maintains stability while investing in essential services and responding to growing community needs. The values-centered proposed budget was shaped through close collaboration among community members, the Board of Supervisors and its ad hoc subcommittees. The plan strengthens core services and responds to public needs.
It bolsters public safety to meet Proposition 36 responsibilities and supports health and safety-net programs affected by federal policy changes under H.R. 1. It also expands behavioral health care and maintains investments in homelessness response, public health, infrastructure, libraries and parks. The budget dedicates resources to address the pollution crisis in the Tijuana River Valley.
Officials noted that balancing the FY 2026-27 budget required careful, thoughtful and strategic choices amid uncertain state and federal revenues, which account for nearly half of all the County’s funding. Revenue streams have not kept pace with the overall growth in the cost of doing business, prompting the County to leverage recalibration strategies.
To recalibrate and prepare for the challenges ahead, the proposed budget incorporates new efficiencies, reduces costs, shrinks the County’s facilities footprint, and shifts staff to address evolving responsibilities — all while avoiding layoffs.
