The San Diego City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the 2026-27 budget, largely sparing the arts, libraries and recreation centers from a series of proposed cuts.
After hours of public testimony, the initial council motion to approve a final budget, made by District 4 Councilmember Henry Foster III, failed by a 5-4 vote. Foster then offered an alternate motion with a long list of proposed changes.
The vote is another step in a two-month process in which the city is required to have a balanced budget in place prior to the beginning of the new fiscal year, on July 1. Mayor Todd Gloria will have a chance to review the council’s budget and veto parts of the plan. The nine-member council then will have the opportunity to overturn the mayoral veto, if they can achieve a super majority…