The San Diego City Council unanimously approved a budget on Tuesday to send back to Mayor Todd Gloria. The budget restores some of the cuts initially proposed by Gloria, including $7.3 million in arts funding and library hours in low-income neighborhoods.

Arts Funding and Library Hours Restored

The council’s budget also restores funding for the North Park library and half-day Saturday hours at Mira Mesa and Linda Vista libraries. Additionally, the budget cuts only 50 beds at the 16th and Newton shelter, instead of the initially proposed hundreds of beds.

A deal struck by councilmembers and the Prebys Foundation will also commit an additional $3 million to arts and culture programs. The city’s Smart Streetlights contract, which provides AI-powered video surveillance and license plate reader technology, will remain in place.

Chula Vista Proposal

A ballot measure being pushed by a local labor union in Chula Vista would allow elected officials to seek an additional term in office and potentially boost city councilmembers’ salaries. The proposal also includes reforms to the city’s ethics commission and contract negotiations with public safety unions.

County supervisors also failed to advance a policy that would have shed more sunlight on board subcommittees meeting behind closed doors. The policy, proposed by Supervisor Joel Anderson, would have required ad-hoc board committees to post meeting agendas, minutes, and materials, and allow the public to attend.

Original reporting: Voice of San Diego — read the source article.