Thousands of San Diegans have shared their opinions and concerns about the upcoming fiscal year (FY) 2027 budget through the digital Resident Budget Survey that the City of San Diego launched on Feb. 26. The survey, which closed on May 8, helped identify which services residents prioritize and those they want to protect ahead of the new budget that will be implemented on July 1, 2026.   

Final survey results from 13,640 responses show San Diego residents want the FY27 budget to prioritize street repair and repaving, as well as police and fire-rescue services. San Diegans also expressed concern about current sidewalk and street conditions, homelessness and housing costs.   

According to the survey results, the top three issues survey takers are most concerned about include: 

• Poor Street or Sidewalk Conditions (5,988 selections) 
• Homelessness (5,064 selections) 
• Housing Costs (4,731 selections) 

Note: This question allowed up to three selections per response. 

Additionally, the top three areas survey takers would like to protect from cuts include: 

• Street Repair and Resurfacing (4,797 selections) 
• Police Services (4,463 selections) 
• Fire-Rescue Services (3,621 selections) 

Note: This question allowed up to three selections per response. 

When asked whether they would prefer to see the City generate new forms of revenue or implement service reductions, 40% of survey responders indicated they would support a mix of some service reductions and some new revenue, specifically through hotel and tourism taxes as well as fee charges to new development.   

The budget survey, launched for the first time this year, offered Mayor Gloria and the City Council a close look at priorities and demands based on Council district. Available in both English and Spanish, the survey was promoted through news releases, Inside San Diego articles, flyers and social media posts.

These priorities were reflected in Mayor Todd Gloria’s updated proposed budget known as the May Revise, which accounts for targeted protections of neighborhood services and community programs while maintaining a balanced budget, following feedback received throughout the budget process from residents, community organizations, library and parks advocates, and members of the City Council.  

On Monday, May 18, the revised proposed budget will be presented to the City Council during a public meeting at 6 p.m. The Council is expected to vote on the proposed FY27 budget in early June.