DATE:
May 19, 2026
32
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
AUTHORIZE ACTIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT PRIOR BOARD DIRECTION ON UNLOCKED RESERVE FUNDS: AWARD AND AMEND GRANTS AND CONTRACTS, INCLUDING AUTHORIZATION OF A-87 EXEMPTION TO COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT TO APPROVE SINGLE SOURCE CONTRACT WITH CITY HEIGHTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On September 9, 2025 (23), the Board of Supervisors (Board) amended the San Diego
County Administrative Code relating to General Fund Balances and Reserves, freeing up fund balance for one-time use (Unlocked Reserves). The Board's September 9th action further provided that the Board may, under certain criteria, use up to 25% of the County's Unlocked Reserves in a given fiscal year where the use meets certain Board-established criteria noted in the County Administrative Code.
On January 28, 2026 (21), the Board directed the Chief Administrative Officer to develop proposals for the use of FY 2025-26 Unlocked Reserves, in coordination with and with the guidance of the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Sustainable Fiscal Planning (Subcommittee), for the Board's consideration. Subsequent to January 28, 2026, staff received guidance from the Subcommittee for proposed uses of Unlocked Reserves. Staff returned to the Board on March 3, 2026 (13) for consideration of the proposals developed with the Subcommittee's guidance.
On March 3, the Board considered those proposals and subsequently appropriated a total of $56.2 million of the Unlocked Reserves balance. $8.8 million of the Unlocked Reserves were appropriated to address conditions in the Tijuana River Valley and $47.4 million was appropriated to support the County of San Diego's efforts in the areas of housing, vulnerable populations, sustainability, and infrastructure. Staff took that direction and returned to the Subcommittee for further coordination and guidance on how to operationalize those appropriations. Based on Board direction and the ...
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