San Diego Faces $258 Million Budget Shortfall

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Restrooms closed in a San Diego park as part of budget measures.

News Summary

San Diego is confronting a budget shortfall of $258 million for the upcoming fiscal year starting October 1. To address this issue, the city plans to temporarily close restrooms at several beach and park locations from November to March, impacting restrooms in Mission Bay Park and Balboa Park. The decision aims to save approximately $1.68 million amid broader budget cuts that will include reductions in city services and layoffs. Community members have raised concerns regarding the potential impact on restroom availability and public safety.

San Diego faces a significant budget challenge with a projected $258 million shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year starting on October 1. To mitigate this financial gap, the city has announced plans to temporarily close restrooms at several key beach and park locations from November through March, which is expected to save approximately $1,681,673.

City spokesperson Benny Cartwright indicated that the decision to close these facilities during the off-peak months is justified by the busy summer season, despite San Diego’s reputation for year-round outdoor activities. The closures will impact five out of 15 “comfort stations” located in shoreline parks and beaches. Specifically, Mission Bay Park, which houses 28 restrooms, will see 13 closures, and seven portable restrooms on Fiesta Island will also be shut down.

In Balboa Park, seven restrooms are slated to close during the specified timeframe. However, restrooms in community parks will remain unaffected, and alternative restroom facilities nearby, such as at Tourmaline Beach and Diamond Street, will still be available for beachgoers.

As part of the broader budget cuts, San Diego plans to reduce 13 full-time positions dedicated to restroom maintenance, with five workers in Balboa Park and eight in waterfront areas. The proposed budget outlines reductions in security and maintenance, which may hinder the city’s ability to maintain clean and safe parks. Overall, this represents only 0.028% of the city’s planned $6.04 billion budget and 0.65% of the projected budget shortfall.

Mayor Todd Gloria’s budget proposal, which reflects a $223.1 million increase over the previous fiscal year, includes cuts to various city services, including libraries and recreation centers. In total, the city plans to eliminate 393 positions, many of which will be transferred to different departments. The parks and recreation department expects to see about 170 full-time employee reductions, offset by around 20 new hires in different areas.

The city has previously dealt with bathroom shortages due to public health concerns, such as the Hepatitis A outbreak that resulted in 592 cases and 20 deaths. In light of this, the city had previously installed new restrooms in areas with substantial transient populations. As part of the new budget, Gloria also plans to add public restroom facilities downtown to accommodate the needs of the area’s high homeless population.

Public hearings regarding the proposed budget will take place from May 5 to May 9, 2023, with a revised proposal set to be presented on May 14. Final budget approval is expected in June 2023.

Concerns about the bathroom closures have been raised by community members, particularly regarding potential overcrowding at remaining open facilities that could be frequented by homeless individuals. Critics fear these closures may lead to inadequate restroom options for residents and visitors who are not aware of the service reductions.

In particular, safety issues have arisen in discussions about bathroom conditions at Fanuel Street Park. Reports of drug use and unsanitary conditions have prompted calls for nighttime closures of restrooms in this area. City officials, however, point out that regular cleaning and maintenance of the Fanuel Park restrooms occurs three times daily, and they emphasize the long-standing challenges associated with closing restrooms in community parks.

To evaluate requests for restroom closures, the city conducts thorough reviews including data gathering, in-person assessments, and consultations among various city departments. Maintaining essential public services while addressing community safety concerns remains a top priority for local officials as they navigate budgetary constraints.