County budget focuses on critical needs

The region’s critical needs are at the center of a newly increased budget that was formally presented to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors at a public hearing, June 13.

The recommended budget for the upcoming year shows an increase of $469.5 million, or 8.1 percent, over the current year at $6.26 billion.

The balanced budget plan focuses on helping the homeless and those with substance abuse and mental health issues. The new budget also emphasizes breaking barriers for people leaving the criminal justice system, addresses the affordable housing crisis, the quality of life in neighborhoods and protects natural resources. The budget retains or improves current levels of service to the county’s residents.

The presentation to supervisors included a video on how county funding is already making a difference for some residents.

County Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer told the board the county has an opportunity to change lives with this financial plan, and decisions made on this budget will have ripple effects across the region.

“I truly believe that this is an exciting budget as the additional expenditures are directed at meeting many of the needs of vulnerable or underserved residents, while also maintaining appropriate fiscal discipline,” Robbins-Meyer said. “I think we have found a great balance this year.”

More than $175 million and 120 new jobs will be dedicated to meeting the needs of our most vulnerable residents, including those at risk or experiencing homelessness. A record high of more than $650 million will go toward behavioral health services.

It means funding for individualized drug and alcohol treatment programs will triple. The county will put $1 million into domestic violence response teams and mobile family trauma services. Funding continues for Project One for All, a program that has housed and treated more than 600 homeless people with severe mental illness.

The budget will fund 50 psychiatric emergency response teams and the county’s Whole Person Wellness program which aims to help 1,000 homeless Medi-Cal patients who cycle in and out of emergency rooms.

The county will continue providing public health, behavioral health and self-sufficiency services at the city of San Diego’s three tent shelters. The budget also calls for 12 additional public health nurses to address public health priorities.

Every year, 80,000 adults are booked into the county jails, and on any given day about a third of the population in custody receives mental health care. The budget will add mental health clinicians and discharge planners to the jails so those leaving the system have a better chance to succeed in the community.

Probation will see nearly $3 million for additional re-entry services. The department will issue transit passes to probationers, so they can get to work or locations with needed services. Eight new staff positions will help the Public Defender’s Office clear convictions for human trafficking victims involved with separate offenses and help clients struggling with addiction.

The budget also provides an additional $7.6 million for an array of wraparound and other services for youth. Those services include mentoring, family therapy and help finding work. More youths in the juvenile justice system will get a chance to join the Alternatives to Detention program.

To address the affordable housing crisis, the county will use the $25 million Innovative Housing Trust Fund approved last year as well as surplus county property to develop homes for seniors, veterans and other vulnerable people. These additional funds are expected to create 400 to 600 new affordable housing units for low-income residents or people with special needs.

The plan sets aside funds to begin updating 15 community plans in the unincorporated area to expand housing options for residents of all income levels. The county will also cut costs and permit processing times to boost housing stock for middle-income households.

The county is investing in infrastructure too. A new Live Well Center will serve communities in southeastern San Diego. The current Health Services complex at Rosecrans Street and Pacific Highway will transform into a county Live Well Campus, complete with an assessment center and transitional housing. Both locations will offer a one-stop location for public assistance and veteran benefits, health, behavioral health and employment services. The Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility will be redeveloped into a Juvenile Justice Campus.

In the unincorporated area, residents will see new libraries, additional sidewalks and repairs to 180 miles of roads. New or improved fire stations will guard against the ongoing threat of wildfires in the backcountry, and more parks and trails will give all residents more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Another 500 acres of open space will help preserve the region’s natural beauty.

The county’s budget is designed to spend taxpayer dollars wisely, as well as maintain prudent reserves and its AAA credit rating.

The recommended budget was released to the public, May 8, along with a new option to submit comments and video online. Public hearings began June 11, with the first two days dedicated to the Community Enhancement Program. The board received oral testimony on the budget, June 13, giving the public the opportunity to provide their comments in person.

Online and written comments will be accepted until budget hearings close, 5 p.m., June 20. Budget deliberations and adoption are set for 2 p.m., June 26.

To learn more about the recommended budget, visit http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/auditor/pdf/caoplan_18-20.pdf.