Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer
We released a recommended budget this week, and we’re heading into a new fiscal year amid a lot of uncertainty. The impacts of fighting COVID-19 are tremendous, and with the pandemic still unfolding, we won’t know the full physical or economic health effects for a while.
It’s events like these that have always been in the back of our minds as we stressed fiscal discipline year in and year out. We do have reserves that will help us in the short term. We’re dipping into those reserves to help continue critical programs and services hit hard by the economic downturn. We’re also using them to maintain jobs and avoid furloughs like other jurisdictions and the state have implemented. And we have not turned to labor management to renegotiate labor contracts.
While we’re not cutting staff, we will need to leave many positions open as current employees retire or otherwise depart County service. I understand that means added demands on our workforce, and I appreciate everyone stepping up at a time our residents are really looking to us for help and leadership.
We were able to have previously negotiated wage increases and one-time payments take effect as scheduled recently. Those were reflected on paychecks this month. Everyone has shown great flexibility through this difficult time, and I’m glad to be delivering on these well-deserved, promised adjustments.
Although the future is filled with challenges, I’m reassured by my experience of seeing everyone at the County pull together to successfully navigate past uncertainties. I’ve said it before and it’s worth repeating, we have the most talented and committed workforce in the nation. Thank you for your dedication and work in service of all San Diegans. Stay safe, stay strong.
