Is dipping into reserves a wake-up call?

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a member of the public All right, so nearly 73% of San Diego's general fund goes towards salaries and benefits.

a member of the public Yet the city finished 2026 over budget on employee pay with revenues below projections and declining reserves.

a member of the public For the first time in recent history the city had to pull 4,700,000 from its general fund stability reserve to close the fiscal year.

a member of the public To balance the budget it seems the city has restricted hiring, cut spending and reduced contributions to these reserves.

a member of the public These are short term fixes to a much bigger financial problem.

a member of the public How does City Hall plan to meet its growing financial obligations without cutting services, delaying infrastructure improvements, raising fees, or continuing to drain reserves.

a member of the public Having to dip in the city's financial safety net just to balance the budget should be a serious wake up call.