By Karen Pearlman

Photo by Karen Pearlman: wild birds at the Lake Murray reservoir

June 11, 2025 (San Diego) – The future of continued daily access to Lake Murray is looking a little brighter today.

With a 7-2 vote, the San Diego City Council on Tuesday approved a 2025-26 budget that preserves activities at Lake Murray and other city-operated reservoirs and lakes, avoiding many previously threatened cuts to hours and days of operation.

The action came after Friends of San Diego Lakes submitted a petition with more than 8,500 signatures of residents opposed to a proposal to close the popular lake on weekdays.

There will also be no cuts to recreation center hours or park restrooms, and while city libraries will remain closed on Sundays, the budget reversed proposed Monday closures for 16 branches.

It remains to be seen whether Mayor Todd Gloria will sign or veto the revised budget. 

Funds also approved to increase library hours, improve fire and police services, make neighborhoods safer and keep city’s homeless shelters open

June 11, 2013 (San Diego) -- Mayor Bob Filner’s balanced budget and financial priorities were adopted by the San Diego City Council on June 10. A 7-2 majority of the Council sided with the Mayor and made a commitment to fiscal responsibility and enhanced city services for the coming year.

In a separate action, the Council approved the Mayor’s five-year labor deal with City workers that will save more than $108 million over the term of the agreement by reducing the amount that the City has to pay into the employee retirement system. The labor deal will provide the City with much needed stability and predictability continuing its path toward recovery, the Mayor’s office indicated.