Editor’s Note: This story was updated May 22, 2025. The June 9 date for the budget public hearing meeting has been changed to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 3.
The earlier budget hearing will take place that same day beginning at 9 a.m.
The first budget open house since the May 1 release of the County’s recommended budget will take place May 22.
The open house will include some proposed numbers for County priorities. They include public safety, housing and homelessness, behavioral health, vulnerable populations and environmental sustainability as well as roads, parks and libraries.
Staff members will be on hand to answer questions about how the budget is built, where funding comes from and how the budget process works. Residents will be able to give their written comments on the budget during the open house.
Parents can bring along their children. Similar to an informational budget open house in April, kids will have a chance to see some adoptable animals, meet a park ranger with a live owl, check out emergency vehicles and enjoy other activities.
The County’s budget affects nearly all residents in some way.
Regionally, County government provides services like:
- Social services and health programs
- Criminal prosecution, detention facilities and emergency preparedness
- Food and restaurant inspections and beach water monitoring
- Elections
In the unincorporated area, County government provides things a city government would typically do like:
- Law enforcement and fire protection
- Roads, parks and libraries
- Building permits
- Animal shelters and protection
Some cities also contract with the County to provide some of these services.
The May 22 open house will run from 5 to 7 p.m. at the County Operations Center in Kearny Mesa.
For those who cannot attend the May 22 event, a virtual community budget meeting with the same information is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28. You can learn more, register and request language and accessibility services for one or both events at Engage San Diego.
There’s also a chance to make budget comments now through June 12 at Engage San Diego.
Budget hearings will take place before the Board of Supervisors at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3. *(See Editor’s note above on date change)
The Board is scheduled to hold deliberations and adopt the budget on June 24. The adopted budget takes effect July 1.
