Building the Upcoming
County of San Diego Budget
Each year, the Board of Supervisors sets the County’s budget through the Operational Plan, which runs July 1–June 30. The plan covers two years and is a spending plan for the first year and makes recommendations for the second year.
The budget shapes priorities that affect your community. Public input matters — your feedback helps guide decisions for Fiscal Year 2026–27.
Discover how the process works and share your ideas to make an impact.
2026 Important Dates and Public Meetings: Click on the dates below for more details.
3 PM - Budget workshop at County Administrative Center.
5 PM - Community input on budget priorities at County Administrative Center.
Recommended budget released and comment period begins
The Chief Administrative Officer releases the Recommended Budget to the public.
online comments open
Public Budget Hearing on Recommended Budget at County Administration Center
The public can provide comments during a public Board of Supervisors meeting.
Last day for written testimony on budget to Clerk of the Board
Including change letter, budget board letter, resolution(s) to adopt budget, and any referrals to budget filed with the Clerk of the Board.
Budget hearings formally end
online comments close
Revised recommended budget available online.
Budget Deliberations and Adoption at County Administration Center
The Board of Supervisors adopts a budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 and tentatively approves a budget for Fiscal Year 2027-28.
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The County of San Diego has a large unincorporated area in addition to 18 incorporated cities and 18 federally recognized tribes.
In the unincorporated area, County government is responsible for the day-to-day things a city government would do, like law enforcement, roads, building permits, animal shelters and protection, along with parks and libraries. Some cities also contract with the County to provide services.
County government provides many services that support the entire county to keep people safe and healthy. These include emergency preparedness; criminal prosecution and detention facilities; social service assistance, like access to food and housing for vulnerable people that is often funded by the federal and state government; health programs including behavioral health services; food and restaurant inspections; elections and beach water monitoring.
The County’s budget is a two-year plan showing how funds will be used in the first year and making recommendations on spending for the second year. It is large and complex, funding hundreds of services and programs to support health, safety and quality of life. We are guided by our strategic plan and consider many important factors:
- County areas of responsibility – things that are required by the federal and state governments and the services we provide in the unincorporated area
- Board of Supervisors' direction
- Needs identified by community input
- Data – things like research and statistics to see what’s working and what can be improved and streamlined
- Resource availability
Get to Know Your County
Leadership, Services and Budget Process
Right now, the County is operating under the $8.63 billion budget County Supervisors approved June 24, 2025. The current budget will be in effect until June 30, 2026.
Stay Connected!
CONTACT
County Administration Center
1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
