Understanding the County of San Diego Budget
A two-year plan showing how funds will be used for the first year and recommendations for the second year. It covers the fiscal year from July 1 to June 30.
Ebony N. Shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
A Message From The Chief Administrative Officer
As the Chief Administrative Officer, I am honored to serve the people of San Diego County and to present this year’s Recommended Budget. Recognizing that our communities are navigating uncertain times, with growing needs across every corner of our region...
Unincorporated Area
18 Incorporated Cities
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.
Explore more about what the County does in these videos.
How the Budget Is Shaped
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 the community input
- Data – things like research and statistics to see what’s working and what can be improved and streamlined
- Resource availability
How To Get Involved
Community engagement is at the heart of our operations. We gather input year-round to inform County programs, services, policies and funding.
Learn more about the process and how to get involved!
Review and Comment: May 1 – June 12
Online at engage.sandiegocounty.gov/-2025-27.
- Email at engage@sdcounty.ca.gov
- Community Open House on May 22 at 5 p.m. at the County Operations Center
- Community Virtual Meeting on May 28 at 5:30 p.m.
- Phone in or come in person on June 3 for Board of Supervisors Public Hearings: sandiegocounty.gov/cob/bosa/
- Request interpretation at meetings: 619 531-5434 or PublicComment@sdcounty.ca.gov
2025 Important Dates and Public Meetings: Click on the dates below for more details.
Recommended budget released and comment period begins
Budget recommended by the Chief Administrative Officer is released to the public.
Community Open House at County Operations Center
Vitural Community Meeting
Public Hearing on Recommended Budget at County Administration Center
The public can provide comments during a public Board of Supervisors meetings.
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 Revised Recommended Budget document available to the public.
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 2025-26 and tentatively approves a budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
Watch Board of Supervisors meetings.
Based on community feedback, the County is hosting a Community Open House and a Virtual Community Meeting on the Recommended Budget covering topic areas of greatest interest to the public.
Both the Open House and Virtual Meeting will provide the same information and opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback.
Join us to:
- Learn about the budget development process
- Review information about the budget and the following topics:
- Infrastructure (Roads, parks, and
libraries)
- Public Health &
Protection
- Behavioral Health &
SafetyNet
- Homelessness & Housing
- Community & Animal Safety
- Community & Fire Preparedness
- Give feedback on the Recommend Budget
- Discover more ways to participate in the process and share your input
- Connect with staff
Session Information
Community Open House
May 22, 2025 | 5:00-7:00pm
Drop in any time during the Open House to visit topic stations to review information and ask questions. Feedback will be gathered in writing on comment cards. The Open House will not include a formal presentation or comment session.
County Operations Center Chambers (Kearny Mesa)
5520
Overland Ave, San Diego (map)
Parking available in the parking structure off of Farnham Street
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Virtual Community Meeting on Zoom
May 28, 2025 | 5:30-7:00pm
Hear a presentation followed by an opportunity to provide feedback verbally or in writing during a moderated Q&A and comments session.
Zoom link coming soon!
2025-26 Budget Information: Click on the 2025-26 text below for more details.
A two-year budget plan that shows how the County will spend its money for the first year and recommendation for the second year. View the 2025-26 Recommended Budget.
After the recommended budget is submitted to the Board of
Supervisors, a change letter suggests proposed additions.
Information for the 2025-26 Recommended Budget Change Letter will be released June 2025, please check back periodically.
A two-year budget plan that shows how the County will spend its money
for the first year and recommendation for the second year.
Information for the 2025-26 Adopted Budget will be released June 2025, please check back periodically.
Revenues
$8.62 Billion
CAO Recommended Operational Plan
Fiscal Year 2025-26
Explore the various budgeted revenues
recommended by the Chief Administrative Officer to the Board of
Supervisors. This includes revenues from taxes, fees and other charges
for services.
Expenditures
$8.62 Billion
CAO Recommended Operational Plan
Fiscal Year 2025-26
Explore the various budgeted expenditures recommended by the Chief Administrative Officer to the Board of Supervisors. This includes expenditures in public safety, health, land use and finance & general government.
Past Years Budget Documents
Proposed changes to the CAO Recommended Operational Plan submitted by the CAO and/or members of the Board of Supervisors. The CAO Change Letter updates the Recommended Operational Plan with information that becomes available after the latter document is published.
The Board of Supervisors' two-year financial plan that allocates resources to specific programs and services that support the County's long-term goals; it includes the adopted budget for the first year and a tentative budget that is approved in principle for the second year.
CONTACT
County Administration Center
1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
