At this week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, an item came forward authorizing $20 million in County employee bonuses — funded entirely out of one-time reserves. I voted NO, and I want to explain exactly why.
Reserves Should Be for Emergencies — Not Bonuses
My position has always been clear: reserves exist to protect the public during true emergencies — fires, floods, disasters, and critical front-line needs. They are not a slush fund for ongoing payroll.
I value and respect our County employees. They deserve strong compensation. But using one-time reserves to fund ongoing pay agreements is financially dangerous. It creates a “pay now, pay later” scenario that ultimately puts County stability — and employees themselves — at risk.
A Shell Game That Undermines Public Trust
This proposal also relied on a complicated accounting maneuver to avoid the four-vote requirement, shifting money from Behavioral Health allocations to make the numbers work.
It’s confusing, it’s less transparent, and it undermines trust.
When government plays shell games with taxpayer dollars, the public loses confidence. And rightfully so.
You Can’t Claim We’re Broke While Handing Out Bonuses
What makes this decision even more troubling is the broader context.
Some members of this Board are pushing for new tax increases — saying the County needs more money — while simultaneously dipping into reserves to hand out $20 million in bonuses.
Meanwhile:
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The City of San Diego is drowning in deficits.
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The State is buried under billions in debt.
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And just last year, the County had to bail out the City after catastrophic floods because they failed to maintain their own infrastructure and budget.
This is exactly what irresponsible spending looks like: overspend now, then demand taxpayers clean up the mess.
San Diegans Are Already Stretched Thin
Every day, I hear from families struggling to stay afloat — crushed by soaring fire insurance costs, rising property taxes, outrageous housing prices, and the overall cost of living.
The last thing they need is another tax.
The last thing they need is government reaching deeper into their pockets while claiming there isn’t enough money — even as millions are handed out in bonuses.
Tax Dollars Should Go Toward Core Services — Not Payroll Tricks
The County’s primary responsibility is simple:
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Protect public safety
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Maintain safe streets
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Keep roads paved
Instead, reserves are being drained for bonuses and salary increases — money diverted away from core services that actually keep people safe.
We Don’t Need New Taxes — We Need Fiscal Responsibility
I opposed this item because it sends the wrong message at the worst time.
Government should be tightening its belt, not loosening it.
Families are doing everything they can to make ends meet. Government should do the same.
For these reasons, I voted NO.
San Diegans deserve a government that puts public safety, transparency, and common-sense budgeting first — not a government that spends recklessly and then asks taxpayers to foot the bill.