San Diego County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Diego County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Low-impact camping on agricultural land (AB 518)
Supervisor Anderson wants the county to study letting farmers and ranchers host low-impact camping — extra income for rural landowners and cheaper outdoor access for residents, with fire risk and tax revenue to be weighed.
County-authorizing litigation in closed session
The board voted 3-2 to have County Counsel file a lawsuit, but the subject remains confidential until the case is formally filed. Residents can request particulars once litigation begins.
Roadside vending regulation countywide
State law no longer lets the county ban roadside vending outright, so staff proposed a permitting program instead. It could help small vendors operate legally while keeping roads safe.
School resource officer in Vista
A new SRO funded by Vista arrives amid debate: supporters call it prevention investment, critics note the city's pot shops and ask why county taxpayers should backfill a city's policy choices.
Ashwood Street corridor improvement project
The county was set to extend a hearing to November 17 on acquiring right-of-way for the Ashwood Street corridor project, including a possible resolution of necessity — a step toward acquiring private property for the road work.
Surplus land sale on Cottonwood and Magnolia avenues
The county is auctioning 11.71 acres on Cottonwood Avenue and declaring 12 more acres on Magnolia Avenue surplus. After the sale, the City of Santee — not the county — controls land use.
Post-employment lobbying restrictions
Sparked by federal corruption scandals, the board wants to bar former county officials from lobbying and stop employees from betting on prediction markets using insider county information. Draft rules come back December 8.
Automated biometric identification system
A $5 million competitive solicitation replaces the aging fingerprint system — but Aguirre drew a line at facial recognition and mass surveillance, demanding board and public engagement before any expansion.
County contracting and small-business procurement
New standards aim to squeeze better prices out of county purchasing and make it easier for San Diego's small businesses — 98% of the region's firms — to win county contracts.