Supervisors hear residents’ priorities for county’s $8.62B budget proposal

Construction at the site of the future Kindred Apartments a county affordable housing project for downtown San Diego Housing aid was one of the priorities for residents who testified Tuesday about the county s proposed budget File photo courtesy of County News Center Funding for a senior transportation scheme the arts and housing for vulnerable residents were the main requests made during a budget hearing before the county Board of Supervisors Several dozen residents on Tuesday shared their opinions on the billion recommended budget for - which is a increase over the current year s adopted budget a modest boost as San Diego County faces funding issues The proposed budget million more than - comes as the county faces uncertainty driven by the financial sector and actions out of Washington D C As it stands the budget would cut positions a little less than of county employees Not all of those positions are filled Selected highlights include an venture of more than million for behavioral vitality services funding for more than million residents who rely on programs such as CalWORKs Medi-Cal and CalFresh and an increase for inmate care and jail diversion programs An official with Jewish Family Operation of San Diego urged the county to continue a free transportation operation for older residents Kaley Levitt declared starting in October the number of riders would be cut in half with the campaign shutting down by next March No one should have to choose between groceries and a ride to the medical practitioner noted Levitt who handles authorities affairs for JFS A -year-old man from Oceanside located in District explained supervisors that the ride effort has truly changed his life allowing him to go grocery shopping and show up for medicinal appointments I m healthier less isolated and more independent commented the man who requested the board to allocate for the effort I can make plans again and feel issued There are several seniors like me Several speakers including representatives of the LGBTQ society stated the county demands to fully fund housing services to help those at jeopardy of ending up on the streets Now is not the time to cut funds for these vulnerable communities an Escondido resident noted Simone Guzman a transgender North County resident appealed the board to include million for adult housing For me this is really personal revealed Guzman adding he was living on the streets while attending school working multiple jobs and also trying to find a safe place to call home he noted Several members of the Legal Aid Society of San Diego urged the county not to reduce funding for a Tenant Legal Services project which is projected to be cut by The venture provides free legal services scenario management and urgency rental assistance to low-income residents at liability of eviction Attorney Jennifer Monterroso noted the undertaking helped one woman leave an abusive situation and find a place to live for her and her children Several advocates encouraged the county to fully fund its Arts Way of life Commission We need community funding for citizens good stated Rebecca Goodman of the La Jolla Playhouse adding that art programs can help improve mental wellbeing for veterans as one example One District resident called for fully funding the county s Immigrant Rights Legal Defense Plan She mentioned she and other San Diegans even certain who backing tougher laws for undocumented asylum seekers are horrified by how immigrants are being treated under federal protocol All people in our country deserve due process regardless of who they are or where they were born she added Ray Whitmer an official with the Teamsters Union Local declared his group was concerned with a proposed employee pay cut Flanked by members Whitmer noted employees keep the county going offering vital services from roads to jail facility maintenance The services don t get any more core than the services these employees provide Whitmer explained We re here in the modern day to urge you to put more money in their wages The hearing also included budget updates from several department leaders who touted achievements in behavioral fitness general safety infrastructure and land use In an opening message Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton announced the budget plan reflects our deep commitment to help the residents of our region and efficiency strategies to create stability in uncertain circumstances Around half of the county s funds come from the state and federal governing body for specific purposes The rest comes from property taxes and fees for services among other sources Highlights in the proposed budget include million for more than a million people in need of CalFresh Medi-Cal CalWORKs and other society assistance million to prevent epidemics and the spread of malady and ensure access for all through citizens fitness centers home visiting programs and pharmaceutical amenity a million increase to provide housing including short-term rental assistance for people with serious behavioral robustness conditions a million increase for substance use outpatient services a million increase for two new mental robustness Emergency Stabilization Units in El Cajon and Chula Vista million to enhance fire and urgency curative services in the Dulzura Pauma Valley and East Otay Mesa areas million toward the purchase of a helicopter for expanded firefighting and search and rescues million for road safety including traffic signals curb ramps pedestrian crossings guardrails and new sidewalks and bike lanes million to improve San Diego County Sheriff s Office jails including upgrades to fire alarm systems and assurance equipment Budget deliberations and adoption are scheduled for June The new budget takes effect July