San Diego City Council schedules 6 p.m. Tuesday budget discussion as FY 2027 deficit nears $120 million
Evening meeting expands public access as the city enters a new budget cycle
San Diego’s City Council is scheduled to hold a public budget discussion at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at the City Administration Building downtown, with a virtual participation option. The evening start time is intended to broaden access for residents who cannot attend daytime sessions.
The discussion arrives as city officials prepare for the Fiscal Year 2027 budget cycle, which will cover the period from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Current projections referenced by city leaders anticipate a deficit of up to $120 million for FY 2027, following a year in which the city made significant reductions to close prior gaps.
What the City Council says the session is for
Council leaders have characterized the meeting as an early opportunity for residents to identify which programs and services should be prioritized and which could be reduced if revenue and expenditure projections do not align. Council members have also warned that balancing the FY 2027 budget will require difficult decisions across departments, including reductions in staffing, operating costs, and service levels.
The stated goal is to incorporate community input into the Council’s priorities before the mayor’s proposed spending plan formally enters the Council review process.
How Tuesday fits into the broader FY 2027 budget calendar
The March 10 meeting is part of a series of public budget discussions that began in late February. The city’s published budget calendar sets several key milestones for the weeks ahead, beginning with the mayor’s release of a proposed FY 2027 budget on April 15.
April 15, 2026: Mayor releases the proposed FY 2027 budget.
April 20, 2026: Mayor presents the budget to the City Council.
May 4–May 8, 2026: Budget Review Committee hearings and departmental presentations.
June 9, 2026: City Council scheduled to discuss and vote on the FY 2027 budget.
Why the projected shortfall matters for services and staffing
A projected deficit does not automatically determine specific cuts, but it sets constraints for a budget that must be balanced. City leaders have indicated that every department is expected to face some level of reduction under current assumptions, elevating the stakes for public comment and Council trade-offs as the budget is developed.
Residents can participate in person from the 12th floor of the City Administration Building or join virtually. City officials have also directed residents to a short budget survey distributed by the mayor’s office as another way to submit input during the early phase of the FY 2027 process.