Message from the Chairman

Our nation faces historic challenges, and San Diego is no exception. Slowed consumer spending, receding housing values, and investment losses have all reduced monies in our General Fund. This only adds to our structural deficit, with a total budget shortfall of $200 million. As we San Diegans work through these difficult economic times, we want to make sure all San Diegans have a voice in solving our severe budget deficit. I invite you to participate in San Diego Speaks and share your ideas on how to save money.

We had great input from San Diego Speaks in the past and I have been following up on what was discussed in those community conversations. Two very important initiatives derived from San Diego Speaks: The Citizen's Revenue Review and Economic Competitiveness and a revenue audit. I am happy to report that both are well underway.

Regrettably, the State is seeking to balance their budget on the back of San Diego. As Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, I requested the Mayor coordinate strategies in response to this latest State budget take-away with the Council, City Attorney, County of San Diego, and Mayors of other cities in San Diego and through the League of Cities.

Although we are facing many fiscal challenges, we are taking extraordinary steps to tackle this problem and as we did in the past, with the valuable and needed input of the citizens of San Diego, we will successfully address it.