San Diego County's Budget Troubles: More Workers, Less Savings

San Diego County is about to approve a $9. 2 billion budget, but behind the numbers lies a growing worry. A local watchdog group warns that the county's money situation is shaky. Why? Over the past 15 years, the number of county workers jumped by 28%. That’s nearly four times faster than the population grew. Salaries and benefits now eat up 41% of spending—up from 32. 5% in 2011. The county is spending more on staff while ignoring long-term needs like fixing buildings. For example, the budget for capital projects, such as repairing roads or offices, dropped to just 0. 5% of total spending in 2026. That’s a tiny $45. 8 million for a county with millions of square feet of aging buildings.Much of the county’s money comes from state and federal programs like Medicaid, but changes in those programs can cut funding anytime. The county also faces a tough future: the number of seniors will rise sharply, increasing costs for healthcare and support services. County leaders say the budget is balanced and responsible. But critics ask: What happens when unexpected costs hit or funding drops? Right now, the county is using reserves and temporary funds instead of fixing deeper issues. Even some local programs lack clear results. The county runs 46 homelessness programs, funded in 46 different ways. That makes it hard to track success or failure. Without better planning, San Diego County risks facing the same money problems seen in nearby cities.