Voice of San Diego / June 10, 2026
The City Council unanimously approved a budget on Tuesday to send back to Mayor Todd Gloria. Gloria can now approve it, veto it or use his line-item veto.
Even though the budget passed unanimously — it didn’t happen without some controversy and disagreement.
Flock contract stays in place: Four councilmembers supported the cancellation of the city’s $2 million per year Smart Streetlights contract. The controversial Smart Streetlights, operated by a company called Flock, provide “AI-powered video surveillance,” as well as license plate reader technology. The councilmembers attempted to pass a budget that eliminated the contract, but it didn’t have the fifth vote it needed to pass.
Soundtrack: During the public comment period, one San Diegan expressed their displeasure with the Flock contract — in song. A man brought his guitar to the microphone and jammed to a melodic little tune that mostly repeated the lyrics “get the Flock out” over and over. Attendees erupted into applause.
After the failed attempt to pass a de-Flocked budget, councilmembers then unanimously settled on the following changes.
Arts funding deal moves forward: A deal struck by councilmembers and the Prebys Foundation restores much of the arts and culture budget. The city would restore around $7.3 million in arts funding and Prebys would commit another $3 million, which it would administer.
Restorations to library and rec center hours: Gloria’s initial proposal slashed library and rec center hours. But the Council’s budget keeps them intact in Districts 4, 8 and 9 — which contain some of San Diego’s most low-income neighborhoods. It also restores Monday hours for the North Park library, and half-day Saturday hours at Mira Mesa and Linda Vista libraries.
The following rec centers also had their budgets fully restored: Carmel Valley, Pacific Highlands Ranch, Robb Athletic Field, Canyonside, Doyle, Mira Mesa, Hourglass Field, Nobel Athletic Fields and Standley.
Big slashes to shelter beds avoided: The final budget avoids cutting hundreds of shelter beds at the 16th and Newton shelter, as Gloria originally proposed. Instead, the Council’s approved budget only cuts 50 beds. It also cuts 37 city-funded beds at the Lighthouse Shelter located in National City.
Homeless day center still faces cuts: The Council’s budget still cuts city funding to the Neil Good Day Center, which provides homeless people with basic services they might need during the day. Father Joe’s Villages, the nonprofit that runs the center, plans to downsize and relocate.
Win for traffic safety: The budget includes funding to improve what’s known as the Fatal 15 — the 15 most dangerous intersections in the city. It also maintains funding for the Multi-Modal team, which design safety improvements like crosswalks, stop signs, and bike lanes.
