San Diego City Council candidate Richard Bailey is making headlines with a budget proposal that would slash more than 1,000 city jobs to “return to 2015 staffing levels.” Bailey argues that eliminating these positions would turn a projected $100 million general‑fund deficit into a $300 million surplus, all without raising taxes or fees.
Proposed cuts target public‑safety and core services
According to Bailey, the cuts would affect:
- 92 police officers and other Police Department personnel
- 253 firefighters, lifeguards and Fire‑Rescue staff
- 75 City Attorney’s Office employees
- 272 Parks & Recreation Department workers
- 362 employees who maintain transportation, storm‑drain and other infrastructure
These positions represent more than 80 percent of the city’s general‑fund workforce. Bailey’s own campaign materials list public safety, parks and infrastructure as top spending priorities, creating a clear tension between his stated goals and the proposed reductions.
Growth in staffing and service demand since 2015
The city’s general‑fund staff grew from 6,975 employees in fiscal year 2015 to 8,261 in fiscal year 2026, an 18.4 percent increase. While Bailey attributes much of that growth to middle‑management expansion, data show the bulk of new hires occurred in the five areas he now wants to cut.
Service demand has risen as well. Fire‑Rescue responded to 142,288 emergency calls in 2015; that number climbed to 186,472 in 2025, a 31 percent increase, even though fire‑department staffing rose only 21 percent. Parks and recreation programming has also expanded, meaning cuts could force the closure of neighborhood parks and reduce community services.
Contradictions and local context
Bailey, who moved to San Diego last year and switched party affiliation in February, has repeatedly told NBC’s “Politically Speaking” that returning to 2015 staffing levels would generate more than $400 million in savings. Critics point out that his own record in neighboring Coronado shows personnel expenses grew over 80 percent during his 12‑year tenure, and Coronado now has one employee for every 78 residents compared with San Diego’s one employee for every 107 residents.
Voters in City Council District 2 face a choice between a budget narrative that promises a surplus without service cuts and a plan that would significantly reduce police, fire, legal, parks and infrastructure staffing—areas the candidate has highlighted as priorities.
What’s next?
Bailey’s proposals will likely be scrutinized at upcoming council meetings and during the remainder of his campaign. Residents and local organizations are expected to weigh in on whether the promised savings justify the potential loss of essential public‑safety and community services.
Original reporting: Voice of San Diego — read the source article.
