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By Miriam RafteryJune 25, 2024 (San Diego) – Following an outcry by rural residents and Supervisor Joel Anderson, the City of San Diego has revised its budget to eliminate proposed temporary closures of the reservoir at El Capitan in Lakeside, Lake Sutherland in Ramona, and Lake Hodges in Escondido.
In a post on the Friends of the San Diego Lakes Facebook page today, Supervisor Anderson states, “WE DID IT! WE STOPPED THE CLOSURES of EL CAP, SUTHERLAND AND HODGES IN 2025. LOTSA PEOPLE TO THANK FOR THIS.”
Though located in the County unincorporated areas, the reservoirs are owned by the city of San Diego.
Over 750 constituents signed a letter sent by Anderson to San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria opposing the city’s proposal to cut $59,000 from the budget for the City Lakes Recreation Program. That proposal called for an additional month of closure at the El Capitan and Hodges reservoirs, as well as closure of Sutherland Reservoir an additional day each week.
“I’m happy to announce that our joint efforts secured the funding needed for this budget shortfall from County resources,” Anderson’s post states. “Because of your quick action and advocacy - your voice was heard! Thank you!”
He adds, “Your engagement and support have made a significant impact, ensuring that our many lakes and reservoirs remain accessible for our entire community. This collective achievement demonstrates the power of our unified voice and reinforces our commitment to protecting public access for public recreation.”
Details of the County Chief Administrative Officer’s (CAO’s) Budget Adjustments to the original CAO Recommended Operational Plan were as follows:
Finance Other Summary
Total Appropriations
The Finance Other appropriations in the CAO Revised Recommended Operational Plan are $451.0 million in Fiscal Year 2024–25 and $383.4 million in Fiscal Year 2025–26. This is an increase of $3.7 million or 0.8% in Fiscal Year 2024–25 from the CAO Recommended Operational Plan, for a total decrease of $10.7 million or 2.3% from the Fiscal Year 2023–24 Adopted Operational Plan. There are no staff years in Finance Other.
Fiscal Year 2024–25
Significant changes from the CAO Recommended Operational Plan include:
Expenditures
Net increase of $3.7 million
⧫ Increase of $2.1 million in the Public Liability Internal Service Fund (PLISF) to support increased workload and new FTEs in County Counsel related to legislative changes funded by PLISF fund balance.
⧫ Increase of $1.3 million in funding tied to Calavo Park capital project based on one-time GPR from increase in assumed Assessed Value (AV) growth rate of 4.63%.
⧫ Specification of the use of $3.25 million that was included in the CAO Recommended Operational Plan for enterprise costs. $1.85 million remains to address capital, IT, emergency response or other efforts:
❖ $1.3 million in Planning & Development Services ($1.0 million) and San Diego County Fire ($0.3 million) for battery storage
system.
❖ $0.5 million for the Calavo Park capital project.
❖ $0.5 million to extend the ¡Mas Fresco! Plus program.
❖ $0.25 million for the Workplace Justice Fund.
❖ $0.25 million for enhanced drowning prevention efforts.
❖ $0.25 million for no-cost transportation servicesforseniors.
❖ $0.15 million for a pilot archery project at County Park.
❖ $0.059 million to support Lake Hodges, Lake Sutherland and El Capitan reservoirs to remain open.
⧫ Increase of $0.3 million for community programs to strengthen language access in the region based on one-time GPR from
increase in assumed AV growth rate of 4.63%.
Revenues
Net increase of $3.7 million
Finance Other Changes
⧫ Increase of $2.1 million in Use of Fund Balance in the Public Liability Internal Service Fund to support
increased workload noted above.
⧫ Increase of $1.6 million in General Purpose Revenue based on an increase in projected Assessed Value (AV)
growth rate from 4.0% to 4.63%.
Fiscal Year 2025–26
No significant changes aside from Fiscal Year 2024–25 recommendations.
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