San Diego County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Diego County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trash Billing Error
San Diego residents are dealing with a major headache after a massive screw-up in local trash billing. People want answers on how this happened and when the city is going to fix it.
Crypto Atm Warning Signs
San Diego is cracking down on crypto scams by slapping mandatory warning signs right on Bitcoin ATMs. If you've ever worried about someone getting tricked into feeding their savings into one of these machines, this is the city's fix to make people pause before hitting send.
Reopening Agua Caliente Airport
The county will study the feasibility of reopening the historic Agua Caliente airstrip in East County using non-general fund resources.
El Capitan Reservoir Boat Launch Ramp Access
Fluctuating water levels at the city-owned El Capitan Reservoir left the boat launch ramp unusable, cutting off popular recreational fishing and boating access. The county allocated $2.5 million to help the City of San Diego extend the ramp.
Recorder Notification and Title Theft Prevention Program
The county established a title theft prevention program pursuant to SB 255 to alert property owners of potential fraudulent real estate filings. The program provides both email notifications and mail alerts.
Recreation Area Closures
San Diego County is shutting down some favorite parks because of brutal summer heat. Better check online before you head out, or you might find yourself locked out.
Measure C status update
Curious if San Diego County leaders actually kept the promises they made under Measure C? This update breaks down whether local officials are delivering or falling short on those commitments.
Fireworks Enforcement
San Diego County cities are deploying high-tech tools like drones to crack down on illegal fireworks this Fourth of July. If you're tired of dangerous neighborhood blasts keeping you up, local law enforcement is finally stepping up tech to catch offenders.
Boards and Commissions Appointments
Mayor Todd Gloria has shaken up San Diego's advisory boards and commissions with fresh appointments, which directly influences local policy decisions. These panels play a huge role in shaping city rules, so the new faces mean a shift in whose voices are heard at city hall.
Utility Bills Legislation
San Diego just threw its support behind a new state bill designed to shrink those painful utility bills. If this legislation clears Sacramento, you could finally see some relief on your monthly energy expenses.
Multiple Species Conservation Plan (MSCP) Funding
Residents and environmental groups urged the board to increase budget allocations for land acquisition to fully implement the South County and North County Multiple Species Conservation Plans.
Campaign Finance
Want to know who's really funding San Diego City Council races? This breakdown tracks the biggest campaign cash hauls and where the money is going.
Election Voter Guide
Getting ready to vote in the June 2 election? This quick voter guide breaks down all the candidates and measures on your local ballot so you can make informed choices.
Election Ballot Measure
San Diego County voters are deciding on local ballot measures like Measure A in the upcoming primary, which could shake up how local government is run. It's a quick vote that might change everyday city policies, so it's worth checking your ballot.
Downtown County Parking Optimization
The county is exploring ways to rent out over 800 empty parking spaces during evening hours to generate extra revenue and help visitors find parking.