The San Diego City Council has held its first public hearing on the city's financial outlook for the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget, with a projected shortfall of $120 million.
That number is lower than was projected last year, but the impact will likely be felt across a number of departments.
Council member Henry L. Foster III said cuts are inevitable, but the focus will be on protecting essential services.
"Let me be clear, there will be cuts as we approach the FY2027 budget," Foster said. "Our goal must be to preserve core services and ensure we maintain clean and safe neighborhoods."
A number of people spoke out about the cuts during Monday's meeting.
In a statement, Mayor Todd Gloria reaffirmed his commitment to closing the deficit: "Yes, our city budget is under pressure, but it is manageable with disciplined action and clear priorities."