Financial Outlook 2023-24

Community input and the Board of Supervisors’ priorities shape the County of San Diego’s 2023–24 budget. The County’s vision for a just, sustainable and resilient future for all San Diegans also guides financial decisions. As a result, this budget ensures County services are meaningful, people-centered, innovative and cost-effective.

The adopted budget in Fiscal Year 2023–24 will increase 11.0% from the previous year to $8.17 billion and address four key areas: mental health and substance use support, homelessness and housing, safety net programs and capital investments. Overall, the County will increase the number of staff positions by 539.75 or 2.7% next year to 20,387.25 full-time equivalent positions.

The Health and Human Services Agency will see significant fiscal increases to bolster its workforce. Additional employees will address growing safety net caseloads and new mandated programs.

The Agency will expand Behavioral Health Continuum of Care essential services, launch the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act, support the adopted Opioid Settlement Framework and continue employment support for a growing number of CalWORKs and CalFresh recipients.

Additional increases build on homeless services and emergency solutions for housing. More funding for the Innovative Housing Trust Fund will increase the region's inventory of affordable housing. For those experiencing homelessness, the County will conduct a feasibility study for a potential residential treatment facility and a Family Reunification Pilot in the east region.

The County is adding resources to support community safety programs and initiatives. Key investments will support the CARE Act, and additionally for the California Advancing and Innovating Medical-Cal (CalAIM) Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) programs. Others include the Homeless Enhanced Legal Program (HELP), Opioid Overdose Mapping and Application Program, expansion of Alternatives to Incarceration, Transitional Age Youth diversion services, the formation of a Staff Wellness Unit and an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordination Unit. In addition, investments will fund the new “One Safe Place” family justice center in South County, an upgrade to the Sheriff Department’s Next Generation Regional Communications System and mobile service center vehicles for probation services in the community. A new Office of Community Safety will focus on prevention, diversion and reentry services.

Investments in capital infrastructure include a new Jacumba Fire Station, an East County Crisis Stabilization Unit with Recovery Bridge Center and a Public Health Lab. Other increases will fund road maintenance and resurfacing projects, traffic signal improvements, the Watershed Protection Program, the Regional Decarbonization Framework, maintenance projects and support the Board’s direction to remove barriers to housing.

Funding will also support the replacement of the Integrated Recorder and Vital Records System, digitization and indexing of historical records, vehicle replacement and increased costs of operating internal service funds including fuel prices.

This budget is built on the County’s values of integrity, equity, excellence, access, sustainability and belonging. It is a balanced and forward-thinking spending plan that confronts the challenges of today’s environment, while preparing for the changes and opportunities that lie ahead.

Total Adopted Budget: $8.17 billion