Why this matters
The Office of Race and Equity aimed to “address all forms of disparities experienced by individuals in San Diego” by dismantling any unfair policies, procedures and budget decisions that perpetuate systemic racism, according to its mission statement.
San Diego city councilmembers may save the Office of Race and Equity.
The council will consider today whether to override any of Mayor Todd Gloria’s budget vetoes, including his decision to continue with the elimination of the Race and Equity office he created in 2020 to dismantle what officials call unfair policies, procedures and budget decisions “that perpetuate inequity and systemic racism.”
In a statement, Gloria said restoring $450,000 for two race and equity management positions — a department director and a coordinator — was “unnecessary.” He had initially proposed eliminating the office as a standalone department and moving its positions to the city’s Human Resources Department.
“The important work of advancing equity and breaking down systemic racism in city processes continues as part of the City’s Human Resources Department, which is integrated throughout the organization,” Gloria said in a statement last week.
But councilmembers chose in their budget to fund the office, along with restoring other cuts Gloria made to the budget, such as council district discretionary funds; arts and culture festivals; the chief operating officer position; some stormwater contingency funding; brush management enforcement money; a study on short-term rentals; and more.
The council last week also suggested taking the Race and Equity office, and moving it to the city’s Office of the Independent Budget Analyst. Gloria vetoed the idea, citing in his memo to councilmembers concerns of potentially “politicizing the IBA.”
The move comes after a contentious back-and-forth between Gloria and the City Council over how they aim to balance a $258 million deficit.
Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera last month called Gloria’s originally proposed budget cuts “irresponsible and cruel,” and he specifically criticized the elimination of the Race and Equity office.
The department already took a financial hit last year, too. About $3 million was pulled from its Community Equity Fund — set up to support local groups serving under-resourced communities — and redirected to help residents recover from the January 2024 floods.
The City Council approved its version of the budget last week, which included some new ideas to boost revenue so that it can spare city departments from more cuts. These revenue ideas included digital billboard ads, an increase in parking ticket and credit card transaction fees and the acceleration of implementing paid parking at Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo.
The nine-member council needs six votes to override some or all of Gloria’s vetoes. Seven councilmembers voted to approve their version of the budget last week.
Type of Content
News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.