The first cut is the deepest, as the song goes, and there will be some deep cuts to San Diego's budget.
Mayor Todd Gloria has released his draft budget for the upcoming year, and there will be cuts to every department expect for police and fire, as the mayor tries to deal with a 118-million dollar deficit.
Some of those cuts will affect the city's workforce and library and recreation center hours and services.
"This is a balanced, responsible budget that confronts a $118 million deficit directly," Gloria said. "It makes the tough decisions now -- including targeted reductions to staffing and support functions -- to protect the services San Diegans rely on and keep the city on solid footing."
The $6.4 billion proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026/27 will be discussed, debated and amended until June 9, the city's deadline for adopting a final budget.
The mayor blames the deficit on rising costs, and putting off maintenance for decades.
Some of the cuts the mayor proposes are:
-- Reducing the city workforce;
-- Reducing library and recreation center hours, including temporary closures associated with planned renovations;
-- Scaling back certain capital and programmatic investments -- including bike lane expansion -- while continuing critical safety improvements at high-risk intersections;
-- Pausing arts and cultural grants; and
-- A partial hiring freeze.
Gloria said public safety, fire-rescue and police operations, homelessness services, and key infrastructure have been prioritized.