San Diego budget calls for ending of program to digitize archives
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — As part of the proposed cuts to San Diego's budget to close a more than $258 million deficit, the City Clerk's Office is proposing discontinuing a program focusing on digitizing the city's archives for free public access online.
Called the Archives Access and Preservation Program, the city began the initiative more than a decade ago as a way to make its historical artifacts and records easier to view. Previously, historical documents could only be obtained through the public records request process.
More than 1,000,000 documents — from photographs and videos to legal records — have been uploaded to the city's website since then, serving as a resource for students' research and for history buffs to explore San Diego of yesteryear.
San Diego fire pits: Are they going up in smoke?
Under Mayor Todd Gloria's proposed budget, however, the City Clerk's office will wind down this program and return to public records requests as the main way to obtain archival documents that are not already available online.
Alongside the program's end, a number of full-time positions associated with it will be eliminated, axing the office's ability to host archival tours and exhibits on San Diego history in the lobby of the City Administration Building.
These changes will also impact the City Clerk's passport services, reducing the number of appointments available, according to the draft budget.
Efforts to digitize additional historical artifacts will continue, San Diego City Clerk Diana Fuentes said, but it would be more limited in scope and contingent on outside grant funding opportunities through programs like California Revealed initiative.
'Above all, we remain committed to protecting the City's historical records,' Fuentes said. 'We will continue to focus on making it easier for everyone to find what they're looking for by organizing and labeling … our historical records in clearer, more searchable ways.'
San Diego Police Department pitches closing Northwestern Division
Maintenance of the city's archives is one of the primary responsibilities of the City Clerk, acting as an information gateway for the public to learn more about local government. The clerk is also responsible for overseeing city elections and managing legislative records, among other things.
Even as the department is looking at scaling back its archival operations and laying off a number of its staff, the 2026 draft budget would increase its funding by about 8%, going from about $8.1 million allocated in the 2025 fiscal year to $8.2 million.
According to the draft budget, the city is expected to save about $807,106 in the cuts, but this will be offset by hikes to salary and benefits for remaining employees and an increase to funding for the department's information technology.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
San Diego City Council approves 2026 fiscal year budget
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The highly scrutinized San Diego city budget for the 2026 fiscal year has finally been passed. After facing more than a quarter of a billion-dollar shortfall, city council voted to approve an amended budget, all while saving some of the key programs and services Mayor Todd Gloria chose to cut. There has been passion and heated opinions from the public for months, including on decision day Tuesday when city council was set to approve an amended budget. 'Investing in them tell San Diegans they matter. Mayor Gloria's budget tells San Diegans that only some of them matter. It cuts funding for libraries, parks and rec centers, youth programs, the arts, equity offices and climate justice initiatives,' said Noah Yee Yick, researcher and policy advocate at the Center on Policy Initiatives. Councilmembers presented amendments to Gloria's final budget, saving several items on the chopping block that drew heavy criticism from the community. Fire pits have been saved due to county funding. Monday hours will be available at more than a dozen libraries and all rec centers hours will be restored. In addition, the Office of Race and Equity and $450,000 in funding for arts, culture and community festivals nonprofits grants will be restored. Access will not be lost to Lake Murray and Lake Miramar and public restrooms near the beaches and Balboa Park will remain open. After Gloria largely blamed the public for not passing the most recent proposed tax increase, the money for these restorations had to come from somewhere. That includes cutting administrative positions totaling $3 million, plans to start charging for parking at Balboa Park and a newly approved monthly trash fee, which is expected to generate $80 million annually. 'With that behind us and those revenues that we can count on for the next year, it is allowing us to do the extraordinary changes that our residents, our constituents, our neighborhoods, need and demand and deserve,' said Council President Joe LaCava. Even with the budget passing with a majority 7 to 2 vote, the city's independent budget analyst acknowledges how narrow the margin is for any error. 'If we do hit an economic downturn, even if all of these good things, these new revenues come to fruition, we will be faced with the need for immediate cuts,' Charles Modica said. The budget goes into effect on July 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
County law enforcement association responds to protests against ICE raids
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Law enforcement leaders in San Diego County issued a statement on Tuesday as civil unrest continues in Los Angeles and other cities, stemming from immigration-related raids conducted by federal agents. Protesters have clashed with federal agents and law enforcement for the fifth straight day in L.A., influencing a movement in other major cities such as Chicago, Dallas and New York. Raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have happened locally as well, including on May 30 at Buona Forchetta and its sister restaurant in South Park. (Above: Immigration enforcement operation at Buona Forchetta in San Diego's South Park neighborhood on May 30, 2025) Chula Vista Police Chief Roxana Kennedy, in her position as president of the San Diego County Chiefs and Sheriff's Association, issued a statement about the raids and protests on behalf of the organization, which is comprised of other city police chiefs and law enforcement personnel across the county. The statement said the association is aware of the immigration-related enforcement operations happening across the region and the nation, and it continued to say the departments are committed to 'uphold(ing) justice, preserv(ing) peace and protect(ing) the rights' of the community. Dozens of people have been arrested in L.A. during the protests. Meanwhile, hundreds of Marines and thousands of National Guard members were deployed under the direction of President Donald Trump, including troops based in San Diego. National Guard troops directed to LA ICE protests from San Diego: Bonta 'We understand that recent federal immigration actions have prompted strong emotions and public concern,' Chief Kennedy said in her statement. 'While we support the public's right to free speech and lawful protest, we urge that these expressions remain peaceful,' she added. Local agencies in California, including those represented under the association, do not enforce federal immigration law or question people about their immigration status in accordance with Senate Bill 54, the statement said. Kennedy's statement also went on to say assaults on law enforcement or acts such as looting, vandalism or arson 'will not be tolerated.' 'Should federal authorities request our assistance due to safety concerns, local law enforcement will respond as necessary to ensure the protection of all involved—officers, agents, and members of the public alike,' the statement read. 'This support is strictly for safety and security purposes and does not reflect participation in immigration enforcement.' Other agencies that are part of the San Diego County Chiefs and Sheriff's Association include California Highway Patrol, city police departments, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and others. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Meet the candidates in the runoff for the Board of Supervisors District 1 seat
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Two candidates remain in the special election race for the vacant seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors representing South County, and voting is already underway. The runoff for the empty District 1 seat, which was set after no candidate received enough votes to win outright earlier this year, pits two South Bay mayors against each other: Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre and Chula Vista Mayor John McCann. Both are vying to serve the remainder of the term former Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas abruptly vacated in the weeks after winning re-election. D1 Special Election: What to know | The Candidates | How to vote | More Stories Moreover, the race is going to be decisive in shaping majority control of the technically nonpartisan body the next few years. Republicans have the opportunity with McCann to take back the reins just four years after Democrats became the majority party at the county. Ballots were distributed to registered voters in District 1 last Monday, June 3 with early voting beginning via mail and drop-box shortly after. In-person vote centers will begin opening up on Saturday, June 21, ahead of the final day to vote on Tuesday, July 1. For those looking for more information on the race for a seat on the Board of Supervisors, here is an introduction to both remaining candidates. The Board of Supervisors has a wide array of responsibilities in presiding over the county, spanning executive, legislative and judicial powers. Its primary duty is to set policies for most county departments, which largely encompass public health and safety, and unincorporated areas. The board can also direct litigation on behalf of the county, appoint people to certain roles and commissions, and approve contracts for services. Similarly to other legislative offices, voting is based on districts, meaning residents are only able to vote for the candidate hoping to represent their area. To find out which district you live in, the county has a map showing the supervisorial district boundaries available on its website. Here are the candidates, listed in alphabetical order by last name: Paloma Aguirre is the current mayor of Imperial Beach. Since assuming the role in 2022, the Democrat's public profile as grown significantly, specifically for her stalwart advocacy on the Tijuana River sewage crisis. A first-generation Mexican American, Aguirre was born in San Francisco before her family returned to Mexico. In 2001, she moved back to the U.S. to attend University of San Diego, receiving a B.A. in Psychology. She also holds a Master of Advanced Studies in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. After graduating, she worked as a community organizer in south San Diego, focusing on issues tied to immigration, foreclosure and predatory lending. She also worked with the marine conservation nonprofit, WILDCOAST, before her election to Imperial Beach City Council. These issues that defined her pre-politics career are at the center of her campaign for higher office on the Board of Supervisors. Her priorities include addressing the sewage crisis, preventing rent gouging, bringing down homelessness, and 'holding the line on utility costs.' During a community forum earlier this year, Aguirre says she wants to work to ensure the county is carrying its weight on these issues, especially as it relates to the Tijuana River sewage crisis and homelessness. 'It's time we get our fair share from the county,' she said. According to her campaign, Aguirre has been endorsed by a number of major actors in local politics like the San Diego County Democratic Party, San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, the Sierra Club, Equality California and a number of local union chapters. A coalition of several of these unions — like SEIU and the California Labor Federation AFL-CIO —have set up an independent political action committee in support of her campaign. County records show more than $590,000 has been raised by the PAC for outside spending, largely on mailers. Aguirre has also received a number of endorsements from elected officials, including: Senator Adam Schiff, Reps. Juan Vargas and Sara Jacobs, State Senator Steve Padilla, National City Mayor Ron Morrison, and San Diego County Supervisors Monica Montgomery Steppe and Terra Lawson Remer. Chula Vista City Councilmember Carolina Chavez, one of the other Democrats who ran for the District 1 seat, similarly endorsed her. John McCann is the current mayor of Chula Vista. The self-identified moderate Republican has been a fixture of Chula Vista local politics for more than two decades, having held various roles over the years since he first became an elected official in 2002. Born and raised in Chula Vista, McCann holds a bachelor's and master's in economics from San Diego State University. Prior to entering politics, McCann served in the U.S. Navy, deploying during the Iraq War. He also worked for the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. In a conversation with KUSI earlier this year, McCann touted his record throughout his tenure in Chula Vista city governance, describing his approach to issues like public safety, neighborhood improvements, traffic decongestion and small business growth as 'common sense.' Specifically, he points to the city's reduction in crime under changes to the police department like its new drone system and doubling of officer patrols, successes of its Homeless Outreach Team, and work to eventually remove the toll on State Route 125. Should be be elected to the District 1 seat, McCann says he would bring this pragmatic approach to the county, pursuing policies that expand wraparound services for unhoused people, tackle immigration, accelerate construction of for-sale, market-rate homes in unincorporated areas and steward its resources in a fiscally responsible way. 'We need to be able to look at what are important to us, preserve those, and look at other things that are 'nice to haves' and look at how we can cut those instead,' McCann said. McCann has been endorsed by a number of groups like the San Diego County Republican Party, Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln Club of San Diego and the San Diego Association of Realtors, according to his campaign. He has also received the endorsement of a number of former and current elected officials, including Greg Cox, who held District 1 seat before Vargas; Supervisors Jim Desmond and Joel Anderson; County Assessor Jordan Marks; and State Senator Brian Jones, among others. As far as outside spending goes, two independent political action committees have been set up to expressly support McCann's candidacy, county campaign finance records show. Collectively, these committees have raised over $456,500 with donations mostly coming from organizations in and around real estate spaces, like the Southern California Housing Association and Building Industry Association of San Diego County, as well as the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and California Alliance of Family Owned Businesses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
