San Diego · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Diego public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Rental assistance family contribution increases
A resident testified that emergency housing voucher holders, including herself, received letters saying their subsidies end November 30, potentially leaving over 1,600 people unhoused.
Trash fee on the property tax roll
The Council adopted the report putting the city's new trash fee on 2026-27 property tax bills. Only three owners protested, far short of the majority needed to block it. The fee varies by container size, with financial assistance covering 50 to 100 percent for qualifying households.
Labor negotiations with city employee unions
The council met in closed session to set its position on contract talks with six unions representing city workers. Union speakers asked for equity adjustments and fair treatment; residents debated raises amid the budget deficit.
Golf course lease oversight
An audit found the city collects just $3.7 million in rent from leased golf courses whose operators earn $34 million, with Fairbanks Ranch paying only 5% of revenue. A 41% rent increase at Fairbanks Ranch is now in effect, and councilmembers want more staffing and transparency in real estate asset management.
Sole-source extension of OpenGov pavement management contract
The Transportation Department wanted five more years with its pavement software without shopping the market, and the budget analyst called foul. The council sent it back, demanding an RFI and answers about why competitive review was skipped.
HHAP Round 6 homelessness funding
The city accepted nearly $26 million in state homelessness funding, mostly for shelter operations, with councilmembers pressing for input on future rounds.
Homelessness funding oversight committee appointments
The revision adds $4.9 million to keep shelters and prevention programs running after state funding expired, but cuts $3.8 million from other homelessness services including safe parking and the Neil Good Day Center.
Utility affordability state legislation
The council backed ten state bills aimed at utility affordability and accountability as San Diegans pay the nation's highest electricity rates — about 45 cents per kilowatt-hour — and SDG&E seeks $3.8 billion more starting 2028.
Solid Waste Fee Reduction
Trash fees drop for 2028 and 2029 — the 95-gallon bundle goes to $38.75 then $39.91 a month — under the litigation settlement. The catch: the city will subsidize the gap with up to $22 million from the recycling fund plus $10-11 million from the general fund each year, and weekly recycling and bulky item pickup are deferred.
Mary Brown et al. v. Joe LaCava et al. litigation
The city is defending a lawsuit that names Council President LaCava as a defendant. Commenters urged a settlement, saying the plaintiffs appear likely to prevail and that the city should honor the fee terms voters saw on the ballot.
FY 2027 salary ordinance and executive car allowances
Councilmembers balked at a $475/month car allowance for the mayor's deputy chief of staff while libraries and park programs face cuts. The ordinance was returned to staff to avoid a charter deadline violation, with a fix expected June 16.
FY 2027 HUD Annual Action Plan
The council approved the city's application for about $47 million in federal HUD grants for affordable housing, homelessness services and neighborhood improvements. Funding is trending down 2-3% while need grows.
Mission Bay lease revenue and holdover leases
The city can't confirm it collected all Mission Bay lease revenue for FY 2024 because of an audit moratorium and a payment backlog. 178 leases citywide are in holdover status — some for over a decade — meaning tenants may be paying below-market rent on prime public land. Councilmembers from both parties pressed for a plan and more staffing.
June 2026 Ballot — Empty Homes Tax Referral
The council voted to ask San Diego voters in June 2026 whether to tax homes left vacant more than 182 days a year — $8,000 rising to $10,000, plus a corporate surcharge. About 5,140 homes could qualify, generating an estimated $9.2M–$21.4M in year one. Supporters say it pushes empty homes back into use during a housing crisis; opponents cite legal risk and enforcement burdens.
Fire-Rescue Overtime Budget Overages
A city audit found Fire-Rescue has exceeded its overtime budget every year since 2019 — $71.6 million total, $31.8 million from the general fund — and is projected to overshoot again this year by $6.8 million. Fixing the budgeting math matters because overages squeeze other city services in tight budget years.