SAN DIEGO – To offset a $258 million budget shortfall, the City has proposed deep cuts to parks, libraries, recreation centers, youth programs, bathrooms during the off season, beach fire pits, and San Diego Humane Society’s animal services. Is this necessary? Is there a better way? What areas should be cut? Not cut? What other ways are there for the City to address its budgetary woes? With fiscal matters uppermost in the public’s mind now that Mayor Todd Gloria’s revised Fiscal Year 2026 budget is in the rear-view, the paper asked coastal residents to get their take on this budgetary crisis and how it’s being handled. Here’s what they said: BUDGET-CUTTING BLOWBACK Asked Judith Crowley of Fleetridge East, “How many regular folks live 300% over our home budget because we think we can ‘catch

See Full Page