National University System Institute for Policy Research

SDI Suggests 9 Questions (and One Comment ) that Should be Asked as City of San Diego Trims Budget

November 10, 2008 - In October 2008, Mayor Jerry Sanders announced that slowing revenues had opened up a $40+ million deficit in the City of San Diego's FY 2009 General Fund Budget. SDI subsequently showed that if revenues significantly slow and the City's expenses increase at the rate projected in the last Five Year Fiscal Forecast, the FY 2010 deficit could be over $100 million. In this latest SDI report we offer a comment, acknowledging the Mayor for the continued efforts to fund the City's long-term liabilities, and raise nine questions that we feel must be asked if policy makers and the public are to make informed decisions during this fiscal crisis. Continue reading »

36 steps being considered by U.S. cities seeking to cut costs and balance their budgets

October 30, 2008 - This policy brief identifies 36 different steps municipalities throughout the country are considering. They reflect serious choices, tradeoffs, and the prioritization of services. The inclusion of any specific policy in this report should not be construed as endorsing its appropriateness for San Diego. The cuts outlined here are painful and some may not work in the specific context of the San Diego's operational structure and employee contracts. It is our hope that this list of proposed cuts being contemplated in other areas encourages City leaders to get creative and leave no stone unturned as they look for ways to close the soaring FY 2009 and FY 2010 deficits. Continue reading »

Economic Impact of October 2007 Fires

October 30, 2008 - The final impact or cost to the San Diego region of the fires rampaging through San Diego County beginning October 21, 2007 and continuing at least through today, October 29, 2007, will exceed $2 billion. The figures are based upon the aftermaths observed from the previous major fires impacting San Diego in October 2003, and projected costs for the damages reported so far in 2007. Continue reading »

SDI Report on the Financial Challenges Facing San Diego City Hall

October 15, 2008 - During the last recession in San Diego County, the City of San Diego's General Fund revenues significantly slowed. According to the City's Annual Budgets (Schedule I), for the Fiscal Year running 6/2002 to 6/2003, General Fund Revenues increased over the past year only 0.2%. Between 6/2003 and 6/2004 they rebounded only 1.9%. If the City only achieved those kinds of growth rate in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget, the Mayor and City Council could have to close a deficit in excess of $100 million. If there was ever a time for everyone from all parts of the community to work cooperative to support what will be the toughest of budgets, it is now. Continue reading »

SDI Report Details Economic Impact of San Diego's Port Terminals

August 19, 2008 - According to SDI research, San Diego's two maritime terminals have an annual economic impact of $1.8 billion and help create more than 19,000 jobs. To equal the economic impact of the maritime terminals, the region would need to annually host 4 Super Bowls or 12 United States Golf Association Open Championships. Continue reading »

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