FAQs

In the unincorporated areas, the County provides things a city typically would, like roads, parks, libraries, and more. But regionwide, the County has even larger responsibilities. For example, it provides services for mental health and substance use issues and provides food and medical assistance to those who need them. The County addresses homelessness and affordable housing, monitors public health for disease outbreaks, and inspects restaurants, buildings, gas stations, price scanners, harmful insects, and beach water.

The District Attorney’s Office, Probation, Office of Emergency Services, and Child Support provide services to the entire county too. The Sheriff’s Department oversees the unincorporated area but is also paid by some cities for law enforcement. The County runs elections, collects property taxes, keeps vital records and the list goes on.

Funding must support all existing programs and cover new ones.

The County's Open Budget website offers information on the Recommended Budget. At a high level, revenue and expenditure information is available for each of the County’s four business groups and their departments for multiple fiscal years. Values for the County’s capital budget are also available. 

When it is released on May 2, the Recommended Budget for 2024-25 including an executive summary and budget snapshot will also be available on Open Budget. 

For historical references, please see the County’s Operational Plan and Budget Information page.

A large share comes from the state and federal governments. But those tax dollars must be spent on certain programs. Some money comes in from property taxes, fees for services, and other sources.

Once the funding for state and federal-mandated programs is accounted for, the County looks at what funds are left to spend and considers how to get the most out of the remaining tax dollars.

There are three budgetary phases in the County of San Diego.

1. Each year, the County's Groups and departments create a two-year Recommended Operational Plan, also referred to as the Recommended Budget, to present to the public and Board of Supervisors for consideration in May, using the county's Five-Year Financial Forecast for guidance. 

2. Potential revisions to the Recommended Budget must be submitted to the Clerk of the Board by the end of the Public Hearing process, starting the Change Letter phase. 

3. A majority of the Board of Supervisors is required, after public hearings and changes, to vote on and adopt a Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and tentatively approve a Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 before July 1.

Yes! The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) provides a quarterly budget status report to the Board of Supervisors to report and correct any budget variances. The goal is to use taxpayer dollars efficiently while at the same time maintain flexibility for unforeseen expenditures.

You can participate in the budget process in different ways: 

• Review the information on Open Budget and on this site
• Share the information with your community 
• Review the Recommended Budget and provide comments through the 
• Attend budget hearings during Board of Supervisor meetings and community budget meetings. Review the "key dates" section of this site for dates, times, and locations. 

Information on how to attend a Board of Supervisors meeting or watch a meeting on line can be found on the Clerk of the Board website. Click on the link below. 

https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cob/bosa.html#watch

The tool is a questionnaire that leads departments to better understand how their respective budgets impacts historically marginalized vulnerable communities. It established a framework for resource allocation that advances equity.