Our final Tuesday board meeting of the year was also our longest of the year. It took about 13 hours, but I want to thank everyone for coming down and calling in. Here is a recap of some of the good and bad from the meeting.
$3 Million More for Migrant Services
The Board of Supervisors approved allocating another $3 million for migrant services. I was the lone “no” vote, as this is no way to run a government. The County has already spent $3 million in local dollars, which ran out in less than three months.
Now, more money will be diverted away from county taxpayers. We have seen over 50,000 migrants enter San Diego County since September 13, and there are no signs of this slowing down. Our immigration system is broken, and San Diegans shouldn’t have to sacrifice local services because of this breakdown. This situation is unsustainable for our community, both financially and logistically.
Migrants entering our country need assistance, but it’s the Federal Government’s responsibility, not the County’s, to fund and provide the necessary resources. The decision to use County funds for non-U.S. Citizens and federal immigration issues with no end in sight is a recipe for disaster.
Charging Electricity Based on Your Income
I initiated action for the Board to take an official position and action to oppose the income-based, fixed-rate electricity proposal. Unfortunately, my colleagues voted against this and are in favor of charging people for electricity based on their income.
The proposed fixed-rate bill fundamentally operates on an income-based charging model, where the more one earns, the higher the flat-rate electricity charges, even if they don’t use much electricity or invested in rooftop solar. I’m completely against this proposal for several reasons, one of the biggest is that the utility companies will have access to your tax return, and your energy bill will be based on income and not usage.
Here’s a breakdown of what this could mean for San Diegans:
- Households earning between $28,000 to $69,000 would face a monthly charge of $34.
- Those with incomes ranging from $69,000 to $180,000 would see a monthly charge of $73.
- Households earning above $180,000 would encounter a monthly charge of $128.
Housing Every Homeless Person in Addiction Recovery
A few weeks ago, I shared a successful story about legislation that we passed addressing individuals who have conquered addiction and are now seeking stable housing. In San Diego County, there are 909 individuals currently engaged in outpatient treatment for addiction recovery but remain homeless. These individuals diligently attend meetings, undergo regular testing, and exert tremendous effort toward their recovery journey.
At our meeting last month, we approved a pilot program for 100 of these individuals to receive housing. I’m thrilled to share that we have now found funding to house all 909 of these individuals for the next two years. This will allow them to continue going through treatment, remain sober, and get their life back on track.
This is a significant step forward, and I remain committed to helping people get the help they need.
Getting People Off the Streets and Into Help
The escalating crisis of homelessness has reached a critical point, not just within San Diego County but across the entire State of California. This multifaceted issue has led to over 10,000 people living on the streets, often in conditions that hinder their ability to make sound decisions for their well-being. Take a drive through downtown, and you will see the stark reality of individuals caught in the grip of substance abuse, causing harm to both themselves and the community at large. The responsibility for this situation lies, in part, with the State of California and its lenient stance on crime and homelessness.
Thankfully, enough people have spoken out, and it’s time for a change. The state has responded to public outcry by providing a tool our county is poised to implement. This policy allows law enforcement officers to place individuals who are gravely disabled due to severe substance use disorder on an involuntary hold. At its best, this policy will force people to get the help they need.
Although the initiation of this program prompted some debate regarding the timing, there is a collective eagerness to see it commence as swiftly as possible. The careful execution of this initiative is crucial, as we must avoid overwhelming our emergency rooms. Striking the right balance is paramount, but I am committed to launching this program promptly, envisioning a positive transformation that will enhance the quality of life in San Diego.
San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond
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