Business as Usual

San Diego is a very "business as usual" kind of town. Something in our genetic code seems to ward off mutation. The problem is, while mutation is seen as undesirable when it results in a virulent flu strain, resistance to change -- at least for cities -- ultimately breeds stagnation and decline.

Not to say we haven't seen anything new in town. For the past few years we've been experimenting with an executive mayor rather than an appointed city manager to run the city. Also, there has been a shift in the balance between Democrat and Republican officeholders. And notwithstanding our reputation as a socially conservative city, voters recently elected openly gay male council members. And let's not overlook the increasing presence of labor unions at the decision-making table.

Still, genetics and/or ingrained traditions are tough adversaries. Despite some fresh faces adorning city hall we remain a company town, held in close check by a handful of business interests who maintain control over the people who control the city's fate.

Finger in the Dike
Think about this: the city's Independent Budget Analyst has stated that the mayor's Five-Year Financial Outlook for 2010-2014 "presents a sobering view of the City's financial situation, projecting significant General Fund deficits in each of the next five years." What does this mean in concrete terms? At this very moment, city officials are trying to fill a $60 million deficit in the upcoming city budget with across-the-board fee increases, cuts in city wages, curtailed city services, sale of public property, etc. So far so good for the current budget shortfall.

But what happens next year when the budget deficit is projected to climb to $100 million? Pockets will have to get picked a little deeper the next time around. More drastic job cuts? Trash fees? New bond borrowing for day-to-day maintenance that the city can no longer deliver? Water and sewer rate hikes? Property transfer taxes? A utility tax? Will that do the trick?

Maybe, at least for that fiscal year. But what about the next? Sell off Balboa Park? And the next, and the next? Each year, the public will pay more and get less, yet it will barely make a dent. We'll still be sinking because the city's debt obligations are compounding faster than all these massive budget cuts and ingenious schemes for new revenues can keep up with.

Who Should Decide the City's Fate
Many scandalous decisions have been made in this town, but perhaps the most egregious one is that top officials are choosing to keep the public in the dark about the most serious fiscal crisis the city has ever faced. Don't we have a right to know what the consequences will be: the staggering cumulative costs to taxpayers, the toll it will take on our communities, and the inexorable shift of city resources out of the public and into the private realm?

Here's where our genetics kicks in. Rather than change course, rather than call for an emergency, comprehensive, aggressive approach to deal with the destructive decisions made in the past, those in charge would prefer to take care of business by nickel-and-diming the public ad infinitum or until they are safely out of office, whichever comes first.

It's Called Business as Usual, San Diego-Style
Hiding the truth is not compatible with responsible and accountable government. We need to start lighting some fires under our leadership. We need an economic summit and we need it now.