San Diegans who want a say in how the city spends its money in the coming years are getting a rare prime-time shot today. At 6 PM, the San Diego City Council will take public comment on the development of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget in an evening session meant to give residents a more convenient time to weigh in before city staff begins drafting the mayor’s proposal. Councilmember Sean Elo‑Rivera promoted the hearing in a Facebook post on Sunday, sharing photos along with details on phone, webcast, and in-person options.
How to join Monday's hearing
Residents can show up at City Hall or weigh in from the couch. In-person attendance will be held in the City Administration Building's council chambers, while virtual participation is also available. According to the City Clerk's participation page, residents may join the webinar via sandiego.gov/councilmtg or by calling 1‑669‑254‑5252 and entering Webinar ID 160 943 0466 when prompted. The meeting will be broadcast on CityTV (Cox/Spectrum channel 24; AT&T channel 99) and streamed online.
What's on the agenda
Item S400 is listed as a hearing for public input on the development of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget and will be taken during the 6 PM information session. The City Council agenda also shows a mid-year budget monitoring report earlier in the day that briefs the council on current revenues and expenditures.
Why it matters
San Diego is staring down growing shortfalls, which makes every bit of public input more consequential as officials weigh potential cuts and revenue options. KPBS reported the city's five-year outlook projects substantial gaps, and NBC 7 San Diego has described the mid-year picture as even bleaker than expected, leaving tough decisions on the table for FY27.
How to comment
Residents who prefer to weigh in on paper rather than at the podium can still have their comments entered into the record. Written comments may be submitted using the City Clerk's agenda comment form and will be distributed with meeting materials if received at least two hours before the hearing.
