Frequently Asked Questions

Q) How does a community receive funding from the County of San Diego?

A) County fundings makes it way to unincorporated communities through several processes including the County Operating Budget (1), the County Capital Budget (2), and District 2 Grant Programs (3).

1) County Operating Budget – Presented by the Chief Administrative Officer and voted on by all 5 County Supervisors. Supervisor Anderson can request for things to be added, but there’s no guarantee they make it in. The budget is prepared by the Chief Administrative Officer and must be approved by all 5 County Supervisors. Supervisor Anderson relies on community input on funding priorities to advocate for in the yearly budget.

The Fiscal Year 2023-24 Operational Plan adopted by the Board of Supervisors totaled $8.17 billion. The following is a breakdown of the annual budgeted expenditures by each group:

Human Services Agency - $3.2 billion
Public Safety Group - $2.68 billion
Finance and General Government - $889.58 million
Land Use and Environment - $674.3 million
Finance – Other - $461.7 million
Capital Program - $258.9 million

Although these expenditures are County-wide, unincorporated residents benefit by receiving services funded through these expenditures for County infrastructure such County libraries, fire stations, Sheriff’s Department substations, and more.

Members of the public have multiple opportunities to participate in the County of San Diego’s annual budget process. Following the public release of the proposed budget developed by County staff, the public is provided the opportunity to submit their comments online. Additionally, members of the public can provide feedback during community meetings hosted by County staff and by participating in the Board of Supervisors budget meetings. The following links provide additional information detailing the process to participate in the budget process:

Building a County Budget for All – A Step-by-Step Process
San Diego County Open Budget
Engage San Diego County
Clerk of the Board of Supervisors – Board of Supervisors Meeting Information

2) County Capital Budget – Presented by the Chief Administrative Officer and voted on by all 5 County Supervisors. Supervisor Anderson can request for things to be added, but there’s no guarantee they make it in. The budget is prepared by the Chief Administrative Officer and must be approved by all 5 County Supervisors. Supervisor Anderson relies on community input on funding priorities to advocate for in the yearly budget. Every year, the Community Planning Groups (CPGs) pass a priority list of projects for their community, which is used in the County’s Capital Infrastructure planning process. If citizens wish to see a particular infrastructure project in their community funded, they can work with their local community planning group to get it added to their priority list.

There are two programs associated with the Capital Budget:

The Capital Plan (or the Capital Improvement Needs Assessment referred to as “CINA”); and
The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

The Capital Plan spans a five-year timeline and ensures the County takes care of aging infrastructure and prepares for future needs. It includes facilities (i.e. parks, libraries, health centers, and fire stations) that are County-operated and that support communities. Having a network of well-maintained facilities is essential to the quality of life of San Diego County residents.

Every year, the forecast is reviewed and revised of planned and potential facility projects, also known as capital projects, in our Capital Plan through a process called the Capital Improvement Needs Assessment (CINA). Community input has been integral to informing the development of the Capital Plan.

How to Engage: The engagement webpage for the 2024/25 - 2028/29 Capital Plan will be coming soon, along with public meetings held by staff. To be signed up on the list, please visit the following website: https://engage.sandiegocounty.gov/register

The Capital Improvement Program, or CIP, consists of improvements to roads and bridges, facilities at the eight County-owned and operated airports and airstrips, flood control facilities in unincorporated developed areas, and wastewater facilities owned and operated by the County. Funds are approved by the Board of Supervisors though a yearly Detailed Work Program. In a typical fiscal year, more than 120 projects are active in various stages of completion. The Capital Improvement Program budget for Fiscal Year 2021-22 was more than $150 million.

How to Engage: The County Public Works team will be re-engaging with unincorporated communities this fall. These outreach events will be in-person and virtual and will focus on sharing information about our programs and how the community can participate in the process. Here are the meeting dates:

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023: South County Meeting
Bonita Library - 4375 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902

Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023: East County Meeting
Lakeside Library - 12428 Woodside Avenue, Lakeside, CA 92040

Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023: North County Meeting
Valley Center Library - 29200 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center, CA 92082

Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023: Virtual Meeting

To register for one of these events, please visit: https://engage.sandiegocounty.gov/capital-improvement-2024-29/survey_tools/community-meetings-2

You can also engage by advocating with your local Community Planning or Sponsor Group to include projects or facilities within the Capital Plan or CIP. Further, during budget hearings in May through June, you can either speak at a Board of Supervisors hearing or reach out to our office with suggestions and priorities. See link here for last year’s budget process and schedule: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/openbudget/en/home.html

3) District 2 Grant programs – Awarded by Supervisor Anderson.

A) Community Enhancement Program (CEP) & Community Enhancement ARPA Program (CE ARPA)

i. Local non-profit entities and government agencies may be eligible for Community Enhancement (CE) grant funding from the County to stimulate tourism, promote the economy, create jobs, and improve quality of life for residents of San Diego County. Non-profit entities may be eligible for Community Enhancement ARPA funds which shall be used to address the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the entities. ARPA funding shall be made available subject to applicable federal law, regulation and requirements for costs incurred by eligible entities from March 3, 2021 to December 31, 2024.

ii. The amount of funding from the General Purpose Revenues for the Community Enhancement Program shall be the same as the amount of Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenues estimated and proposed to be budgeted by the County of San Diego; however, the Board has the discretion to allocate a greater or lesser amount of General Purpose Revenues for Community Enhancement. ARPA funding shall, unless modified by the Board, be limited to $5,000,000 in accordance with the Board’s action on June 8, 2021. The total amount of funding shall be distributed evenly among the five Supervisorial Districts for purposes of recommending grant awards. In Fiscal Year 2023-2024, Supervisor Joel Anderson’s Office is responsible for allocating $1,040,691 in Community Enhancement funding, and an additional $233,000 in Community Enhancement ARPA funding.

iii. Each fiscal year, a budget is developed to award grant funds fairly across District 2’s many communities. Eligible organizations in a community can only be awarded grant funds if they apply. Should eligible applications exceed the amount budgeted for that community, Supervisor Anderson may convene a Grant Steering Committee comprised of community stakeholders to advise him which applications are highest priority for the community.

iv. To view past Community Enhancement Program awards from the Board of Supervisors, please visit the County’s website here: www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cao/edga/grants-office/CE.html

v. To apply for CEP, local non-profit organizations and government agencies may submit an application through Supervisor Anderson’s website here: www.supervisorjoelanderson.com/content/d2/us/en/community/cep.html

vi. To apply for CE ARPA, local non-profit organizations and government/public agencies may submit an application through the County’s application portal here: www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/communitygrants/cegrantelgibility.html

B) Neighborhood Reinvestment Program (NRP)

i. The Neighborhood Reinvestment Program provides grant funds to County departments, public agencies, and to non-profit community organizations for one-time community, social, environmental, educational, cultural, or recreational needs.

ii. Neighborhood Reinvestment Program (formerly known as the Community Projects Program) began in Fiscal Year 1998-99 with a total budget of $5.0 million. Beginning with Fiscal Year 1999-00, the allocation was increased from $5.0 million to $10.0 million. Resources available for the Program are subject to budget priorities as established by the Board of Supervisors. The total amount of funding is distributed evenly among the five Supervisorial Districts for the purpose of recommending grant awards. In Fiscal Year 2023-2024, Supervisor Anderson is responsible for allocating $2,000,000 in Neighborhood Reinvestment Program funding.

iv. To view past Neighborhood Reinvestment Program grant awards from the Board of Supervisors, please visit the County’s website here: www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cao/edga/grants-office/NRP.html

v. To apply for NRP, local non-profit organizations and public/government agencies, may submit an application through Supervisor Anderson’s website here: www.supervisorjoelanderson.com/content/d2/us/en/community/nrp.html

C) Small Business Stimulus Grant (SBSG)

i. Local small businesses and nonprofit entities that suffered economic losses due to COVID-19 may be eligible for grant funding from the County for economic assistance to help those organizations impacted by COVID-19.

ii. In Fiscal Year 2023-2024, Supervisor Anderson is responsible for allocating $1,678,145 in Small Business Stimulus Grant funding. This program is funded by the Board of Supervisors allocation of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, CARES Act funding and the County General Fund. The program expires on June 30^th, 2024 and will not renew.

iii. The SBSG program is not budgeted by community, and is available to all eligible small businesses and non-profits with the goal of rescuing economic prosperity in District 2 by enabling local businesses and nonprofits to save jobs, sustain commerce, and adapt their businesses in innovative ways to the economic realities of COVID-19. Supervisor Anderson has held Grant Workshops in partnership with the local chambers of commerce in Alpine, Lakeside, Ramona, Julian, Poway, and El Cajon with plans to host more in the coming year to ensure that all eligible organizations in District 2 have the opportunity to apply.

iv. To confirm eligibility and apply, visit www.sandiegocounty.gov/stimulusgrant/

Q) What is the role of Community Planning Groups (CPGs)?

A) CPGs may advise the County of San Diego (County) on discretionary projects as well as on planning and land use matters important to their community. Because planning and sponsor groups exist to advise the County, a planning and land use matter that does not require County of San Diego approval may be discussed if properly noticed.

Planning and sponsor group members are not County decision makers. They act in an advisory capacity to the Director of Planning & Development Services, the Zoning Administrator, the Planning Commission, the Board of Supervisors, and others involved in the County land development process. Planning and sponsor groups are not empowered by ordinance or policy to render decisions of any kind on behalf of the County of San Diego or its appointed or elected officials. These groups are recognized as having a working relationship with the County on planning and land use matters. Community issues not related to planning or land use are not within the purview of these groups.

In addition, CPGs do not control any County funding and can only be reimbursed by the County for necessary expenses to host meetings. Similarly, CPGs are not allowed to apply for any discretionary grant funding from Supervisors as they are not non-profits nor are they considered governmental entities. They are considered advisory to the County of San Diego Government.

Supervisor Anderson and his staff meets quarterly with the chairs of the CPGs to update them on pertinent issues and to receive feedback on local issues. Due to requirements in the Brown Act, we are not able to meet with multiple members of the same CPG at these meetings.

Policy I-1, which is adopted by the Board, governs the rules and regulations that the CPGs follow and can be viewed here: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/pds/Groups/Chair_Resources/Board%20Policy%20I-1.pdf