County Budget 2026 - 28
Each year, the Board of Supervisors (Board) 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 2026-28 Recommended Budget will be released May 1. Right now, the County is operating under the $8.63 billion budget the Board approved on June 24, 2025. The current budget will be in effect until June 30, 2026.
How the Budget is Shaped
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
Your Input is Critical
The budget shapes priorities that affect your community. Public input matters — your feedback helps guide decisions for Fiscal Year 2026–27 and beyond. Discover how the process works and share your ideas to make an impact.
How to Get Involved
- Review the information on this page and visit San Diego County Open Budget
- Share the information with others
- Provide input through the tools on this page - take our survey and share your priorities!
- Ask questions
Language and Accessibility Services
If you need disability accommodations or would like to provide your feedback for the tools on site in an alternate format, please contact engage.sandiegocounty.ca.gov and provide your name and preferred contact method and we will connect with you. Alternatively, you may call (619) 595-4633.
What the County Does - Video
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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 Budget Explained - Video
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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
