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. The 2025-27 Recommended Budget will be released May 1.
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!
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.
Online comments open
Public hearings on recommended budget
The public can provide comments during a public Board of Supervisors meetings.
Public hearings on CAO Recommended Open Plan
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.
Revised recommended budget available online.
Budget deliberations and adoption
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.
This is the current budget year that ends on June 30, 2025.
Discover how the County's budget serves you and your community. Drop in anytime for a family-friendly Informational Community Open House where you can connect with County programs and servces.
Join us to:
- Learn about the budget planning process
- Discover how you can get involved and what County services benefit you
- Connect with staff
- Interact with adoptable pets, emergency vehicles, animal demostrations and more!
Session Information
Information Community Open House
April 17, 2025 | 5:00-7:00pm
County Operations Center Chambers (Kearny Mesa)
5520 Overland
Ave, San Diego (map)
Parking available in the parking structure off of Farnham Street
2024-25 Budget Information: Click on the 2024-25 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 2024-25 Recommended Budget.
After the recommended budget is submitted to the Board of Supervisors, a change letter suggests proposed additions. View the 2024-25 Recommended Budget Change Letter.
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 2024-25 Adopted Budget.
Revenues
$8.53 Billion
Adopted Operational Plan Fiscal Year
2024-25
Explore the various budgeted revenues
adopted by the Board of Supervisors. This includes revenues from
taxes, fees and other charges for services.
Expenditures
$8.53 Billion
Adopted Operational Plan Fiscal Year
2024-25
Explore the various budgeted
expenditures adopted by the Board of Supervisors. This includes
expenditures in public safety, health, land use and finance &
general government.
Past Years Budget Documents
A comprehensive overview of the CAO's recommended financial plan for the County's operations for the next two fiscal years.
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
