Mayor Todd Gloria outlines FY2026 draft budget, warns of deeper cuts without new revenue

Mayor Todd Gloria presented the city's draft fiscal year 2026 budget to the San Diego City Council on April 21, saying the plan aims to reduce a structural deficit while preserving core services and protecting public safety, homelessness response, housing and street repair. The administration described the proposal as a first draft that will be refined in the May revision and through council review before adoption on June 10.

"This is a difficult budget year," Gloria said, noting inflation, international tariffs and a structural shortfall that began at about $258 million and has since grown. He said his administration slowed hiring, implemented a strategic hiring freeze and reorganized departments to cut 31 unclassified positions and save more than $5 million annually. The proposal would also shift refuse collection costs into a new solid waste enterprise fund and pursue additional revenue measures, including…