Public Has Their Say During San Diego County Budget Hearing

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — Over 100 residents Wednesday evening told the county Board of Supervisors what they want in San Diego County's budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year, including more money for a mobile crisis response team, help for immigrants, affordable housing and an audit of the sheriff's department.

Board Chairman Nathan Fletcher said the main goal was to get public feedback, as "we're still in listening mode."

"We declared the new board would govern differently," Fletcher said. "A cornerstone of that is public engagement."

Fletcher added he and his colleagues can take suggestions and introduce them, in the form of a change letter, into the budget proposal.

In early May, county Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer unveiled a proposed $7.03 billion budget, 7.3% more than the current fiscal year.

The proposed budget calls for spending roughly $2.7 billion for health and human services, $2.2 billion for public safety, $1.5 billion for general government and $600 million for environmental programs.

Along with the traditional county services, other spending recommendations are for programs intended to reduce homelessness, increase economic opportunity, environmental protection, governmental transparency and reforming the justice system.

The board is expected to adopt the budget June 29.

During the four-hour meeting on Wednesday at the County Administration Center, residents and activist groups called in to request full funding for the county's Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, Office of Racial Justice, Office of Environmental Justice, Youth Environmental/Recreational Corps and a climate action plan.

County employees said more money was needed to increase staffing in offices such as Child Welfare Services.

Some callers criticized the proposed $1 billion budget for the sheriff's department, saying the county needs funded alternatives to standard law enforcement, including the Mental Crisis Response Team.

Supervisors earlier this year approved creating the team, which dispatches behavioral health experts to mental health- or drug abuse-related emergency calls, instead of law enforcement, where appropriate.

Nikki Faddick, of the San Diego chapter of Moms Demand Action, said too often family members call 911 seeking help for a loved one in crisis, only to see them become victims of violence.

"Our county has the opportunity to do better," she added.

Members of the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, Invest in San Diego Families Coalition and American Civil Liberties Union called for an audit of the sheriff's department within the next three months.

Blair Overstreet, a fellow at the nonprofit Center on Policy Initiatives, said Sheriff William Gore is continuing to make decisions with no accountability, "which is unacceptable and un-democratic."

Supervisors are committed to a more equitable budget, "and we ask you use your power to hold the (sheriff's department) to the values of accountability and transparency," Overstreet added.

Others criticized funding disparities between the District Attorney's Office and Public Defender's Office, which one caller said was the difference between "a Pop Warner football team with the NFL."

San Diego resident Barbara Pinto said that with so much community need, "why is so much allocated for law enforcement?"

Affordable housing is more important, said Pinto, who added that she pays over 80% of her income for rent.

David Garcias, president of Service Employees International Union Local 221, urged supervisors to increase the number of employees at Edgemoor Hospital, a nursing facility that caters to low-income residents, and pay for more paralegals in the Office of the Public Defender.

Garcias praised the board for actually listening to its workforce and other members of the public.

"We commend this board on the best budget in a generation," he added.

A proposed park in Alpine was also a hot topic Wednesday, featuring two group presentations, one in favor and one against.

The 26-acre, $28 million park would be located at 2480 South Grade Road off Interstate 8 and feature a baseball field, paved pathways, pickle ball courts, a dog park and parking for 300 vehicles.

According to county officials, the park would be completed in three phases and open towards the end of 2022.

Julie Simper, of Preserve Alpine's Heritage, said the board should approve a scaled-back design that enhances Alpine's unique cultural heritage, instead of overwhelming it.

Originally, the park was only 12 to 15 acres, Simper said, adding there is considerable opposition to a larger facility.

She said the park would be adjacent to a natural area called Wright's Field, "the gem of Alpine."
"Go to the property, walk the perimeter," she told board members. "We support a park, but do not support this park at this location."

Christine Figari, also of Preserve Alpine's Heritage, said the park is 2 miles from the community's center and poses serious traffic hazards, as it is planned for a winding country road.

Other park opponents cited wildfire evacuation issues and threats to native plants.

The park also had its backers. Travis Lyon, chairman of Alpine Community Planning Group, said the new park will have "things Alpine has been asking for, for years. This is not a new plan."

Lyon said the new park has the full support not only of his group, but the Alpine Union School District, its chamber of commerce, and the Kumeyaay Band of Indians.

Lyon said less than 500 people signed a petition against the new park, which also would preserve 72 acres for open space.

Alpine resident Colin Campbell II said the park would be a place for community gatherings and events, and increase awareness of and support for Wright's Field.

Campbell said Alpine has 18,000 residents, but "we probably have over 10,000 dogs that would appreciate the dog park."

There are plans for evacuation area for families and large animals in case of a wildfire, Campbell said.

Campbell's son, Colin Campbell III, said the park would "bring joy for the youth of Alpine, and bring kids outside (instead) of playing video games."

Wednesday's meeting was a continuation from a Monday morning hearing, which lasted less than an hour.

Along with Fletcher, Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer and Nora Vargas attended the meeting in person.

Supervisor Jim Desmond was absent from both hearings. He was out of town attending a celebration of life for his brother, who died of cancer.

A full breakdown of the proposed budget is available at www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/openbudget.html.

— City News Service