DATE:
February 11, 2025
12
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
EVALUATING SUSTAINABLE FUNDING OPTIONS TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego has a long track record of responsible fiscal stewardship and efficient use of taxpayer dollars through results-oriented service delivery. As a custodian of public funds, the County has maintained a focus on providing vital services while avoiding waste and inefficiency.
Forecasts by the County Office of Financial Planning project shifts in the fiscal environment due to declining State and Federal tax revenues. Nearly half of the County's budget depends on State and Federal revenue sources, emphasizing the need for thoughtful, proactive planning to sustain County services. This proposal equips the Board and the County's leadership team with an analysis of potential tools to help the County navigate these headwinds while ensuring continued progress on core service delivery and the adopted Strategic Plan.
In accordance with Board direction, the County has worked to strengthen service delivery in areas outlined in the Strategic Plan such as public safety, mental health and substance use disorder, homelessness, and attainable housing while maintaining top-tier credit ratings and effectively leveraging state and federal resources. Recent accomplishments include:
* Fire Safety: Doubling the size of the County's fire response system, improving call response times, increasing firefighter and first responder staffing, expanding fire response infrastructure including Mt. Laguna, Valley Center, and Deer Springs, and investing in advanced tools like fire helicopters that can prevent catastrophic wildfires and assist in remote rescues.
* Public Safety: Strengthening law enforcement through expanded staffing, including the addition of over 300 new positions in recent years, and targeted recruitment and retention efforts to address workf...
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