The County of San Diego - Comprehensive Analysis Report

Summary

The County of San Diego is a governmental entity dedicated to serving over 3.3 million residents across 18 cities and unincorporated areas in Southern California. Its overarching vision is to build a region that prioritizes "Building Better Health, Living Safely, and Thriving" for all its residents, striving for a just, sustainable, and resilient future. The County's mission involves strengthening communities through innovative, inclusive, and data-driven services, delivered by a skilled and supported workforce. Core values include public good, integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. As a multi-purpose local government, it provides a diverse range of services, including law enforcement, road maintenance, building permits, animal shelters, parks, libraries in unincorporated areas, and region-wide services such as emergency preparedness, elections, health programs, and social service assistance.

1. Strategic Focus & Objectives

Core Objectives

The County of San Diego's strategic focus is framed around several key initiatives: Community, Empower, Equity, Justice, and Sustainability. These initiatives guide the County in setting measurable goals, breaking down organizational silos, and ensuring all departments contribute to regional success. Specific objectives include:

• Aligning resources for fiscal stability.

• Reducing poverty within the region.

• Combating climate change through proactive measures.

• Protecting vital natural resources.

• Enhancing emergency response capabilities.

• Reducing health disparities across diverse communities.

• Providing accessible housing opportunities.

• Fostering robust economic growth.

• Ensuring a fair and equitable justice system.

• Inspiring and increasing civic engagement among residents.

Internally, the County also emphasizes workforce engagement, professional development, and cultivating a culture of inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism.

Specialization Areas

The County specializes in delivering comprehensive public services that cater to the holistic well-being of its residents and the sustainable development of the region. Its unique value proposition lies in its ability to act as both a municipal government for unincorporated areas and a regional service provider, addressing complex challenges through unified and data-driven approaches. Key areas of expertise include public safety, health and human services, land use and environmental protection, and sound financial governance.

Target Markets

The primary target market for the County of San Diego's services is its diverse population of over 3.3 million residents across San Diego County, encompassing both incorporated cities and unincorporated areas. Its market positioning strategy is centered on providing universal access to essential services, ensuring equity, and fostering community resilience. This includes tailored programs for vulnerable individuals and families, economic development initiatives for businesses, and environmental protections for all residents.

2. Financial Overview

Funding History

For Fiscal Year 2025-26, the County of San Diego's Adopted Budget stands at $8.63 billion, representing a 1.2% increase over the previous fiscal year. This balanced budget prioritizes core, mandated services and makes significant investments in behavioral health and public safety.

Detailed Breakdown of Recent Funding and Utilization (FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget):

• Total Adopted Budget: $8.63 billion

• Major Expenditures:

• Health & Human Services: $3,513.0 million

• Public Safety: $2,924.2 million

• Finance & General Government: $987.3 million

• Land Use & Environment: $782.2 million

• Fund Utilization and Impact: Over $100 million is dedicated to transforming its behavioral health system from a crisis-focused approach to a care-first system that supports long-term recovery through community-based treatment, prevention, and alternatives to traditional interventions.

• Financial Challenges: Despite the budget increase, the County faces a projected one-time funding gap of $138.5 million for FY 2025-26, which is anticipated to grow to $321.8 million by FY 2029-30. This is attributed to changing revenue streams, potential federal funding shifts, and slowed sales tax revenue growth.

3. Product Pipeline

The County of San Diego engages in a wide array of public projects and programs that constitute its "pipeline development," with over 120 projects typically active at various stages of completion in a fiscal year. The 2025–2030 Capital Plan, approved on April 9, 2025, outlines a five-year strategy for building and renovating facilities.

Key Products/Services

• Infrastructure Improvements:

• Product/Service Name: Cole Grade Road Improvements Project

• Description: Widening the roadway, adding bike lanes, and a multi-use pathway.

• Development Stage: Ongoing.

• Target Market/Condition: Traffic flow and safety in the region.

• Key Features/Benefits: Enhanced safety for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians, improved traffic flow.

• Product/Service Name: Rancho Santa Fe Roundabouts Project

• Description: Implementation of roundabouts at key intersections.

• Development Stage: Ongoing.

• Target Market/Condition: Traffic flow, safety, and connectivity.

• Key Features/Benefits: Improved traffic efficiency and reduced collision points.

• Product/Service Name: Multi-Year Road Resurfacing Program

• Description: Resurfacing 100 to 150 miles of roads annually.

• Development Stage: Ongoing.

• Target Market/Condition: Road quality and longevity across the county.

• Key Features/Benefits: Enhanced driving experience, reduced maintenance costs, extended infrastructure lifespan.

• Park and Recreation Development:

• Product/Service Name: San Luis Rey River Regional Park

• Description: Development of a 1700-acre regional park.

• Development Stage: Ongoing.

• Target Market/Condition: Public recreation and open space.

• Key Features/Benefits: Extensive recreational opportunities, open space preservation.

• Product/Service Name: Otay Valley Regional Park Staging Area

• Description: Development of a 2.5-acre staging area with multi-use trails.

• Development Stage: Ongoing.

• Target Market/Condition: Access to multi-use trails and outdoor activities.

• Key Features/Benefits: Improved access for hikers, bikers, and equestrians.

• Behavioral Health Services:

• Product/Service Name: Optimal Care Pathways models

• Description: Developing models to identify future capacity needs for treatment.

• Development Stage: Ongoing.

Key Features/Benefits: Data-driven planning for behavioral health services, improved resource allocation.

• Product/Service Name: Behavioral health payment reform under Medi-Cal Transformation

• Description: Implementing reforms to the payment system.

• Development Stage: Ongoing.

Key Features/Benefits: More efficient and effective use of funds for behavioral health services.

• Product/Service Name: ELEVATE Behavioral Health Workforce Fund

• Description: Fund in development to recruit and retain behavioral health staff.

• Development Stage: In development.

Key Features/Benefits: Strengthened behavioral health workforce, improved service delivery.

• Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Product/Service Name: 2024 Climate Action Plan

• Description: Updated plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• Development Stage: Planned for 2024.

Key Features/Benefits: Strategic framework for climate change mitigation, reduced environmental impact.

• Product/Service Name: 2022 Zero Carbon Portfolio Plan

• Description: Plan targeting an 80% reduction in carbon emissions from County facilities by 2030.

• Development Stage: Implemented 2022.

Key Features/Benefits: Significant reduction in the County's carbon footprint, leading by example in sustainability.

• Product/Service Name: 2023 Green Fleet Action Plan

• Description: Plan for a more environmentally friendly County vehicle fleet.

• Development Stage: Implemented 2023.

Key Features/Benefits: Reduced emissions from County vehicles, promoting cleaner air.

• Product/Service Name: Campo Road Corridor Revitalization Specific Plan

• Description: Transforming a four-lane road into two lanes, creating amenities for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.

• Development Stage: Planning/Development.

Key Features/Benefits: Improved urban design, enhanced pedestrian and cycle safety, community revitalization.

• Community Support Programs:

• Product/Service Name: Equity Impact Grant Program

• Description: Provides operating grants and training to small businesses.

Key Features/Benefits: Supports local economic development, promotes equity for small businesses.

• Product/Service Name: Library's Raising a Reader program

• Description: Supports early literacy for incarcerated adults.

Key Features/Benefits: Promotes education and rehabilitation, improves literacy rates.

• Product/Service Name: CalFresh food assistance, Medi-Cal health coverage, and CalWORKs

• Description: Programs supporting vulnerable individuals and families.

Key Features/Benefits: Provides essential food, healthcare, and employment assistance to those in need.

4. Technology & Innovation

The County of San Diego is recognized for leveraging technology to enhance public services and operational efficiency, earning a third-place in the Digital Counties awards program for large population categories in 2025.

Technology Stack

• Core Platforms and Technologies: The County’s Technology Office focuses on simplified public access, digital equity and inclusion, stronger engagement, community safety, and better information access and transparency. Digital services emphasize ease of use, self-service, accessibility, and an enhanced customer experience through digital solutions.

• Proprietary Developments: Includes a multilingual public health system with updated vaccination appointment options, modern child support appointment management, and online child abuse reporting.

• Scientific Methodologies: Implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve services and operations. The County utilizes a responsible AI framework established by Board Policy A-140, adopted on September 30, 2025.

• Technical Capabilities:

• AI-Driven Capabilities: Active exploration and implementation of AI. The County is a member of the GovAI Coalition and uses a board-level AI committee. Microsoft Copilot is being piloted with over 200 employees to test AI responsibly, including for rewriting website content and training authors in web content basics.

• Data and Connectivity: Expanding internet access to over 1,000 remote households and replacing outdated copper lines with Starlink for remote fire stations and parks to advance broadband and digital equity. The County has also developed its own AI best practices.

• Public Safety Technology: Enhancements include AI-powered wildfire detection cameras, precise evacuation zones built on Genasys EVAC, upgraded safety notifications, a new application for Sheriff's Office hiring, real-time monitoring for juvenile detention, and electronic discovery for the public defender.

5. Leadership & Management

Executive Team

• Ebony N. Shelton: Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

• Professional Background: Oversees the County's operations and budget.

• Key Contributions: Emphasizes service to residents amidst evolving community needs.

• Board of Supervisors (Elected Officials):

• Paloma Aguirre (District 1)

• Joel Anderson (District 2)

• Terra Lawson-Remer (District 3)

• Monica Montgomery Steppe (District 4)

• Jim Desmond (District 5)

• Joan Bracci: Chief Financial Officer

• Deputy Chief Administrative Officers (DCAOs):

• Brian Albright: DCAO / General Manager Finance & General Government

• Dr. Elizabeth Hernandez, Ph.D.: Interim DCAO / General Manager Health & Human Services Agency

• Dahvia Lynch: DCAO / General Manager Land Use & Environment

• Andrew Strong: DCAO / General Manager Public Safety

• Nadia Privara Brahms: Behavioral Health Services Director (appointed effective January 9, 2026)

• Professional Background: Joined the County in 2005 and Behavioral Health Services in 2014.

• Notable Achievements: Led initiatives for treatment capacity and secured over $430 million in grant funding.

• Eric Shiotsugu: Chief Information Officer (appointed effective immediately prior to December 29, 2025)

• Professional Background: Over 20 years of technology experience, previously led technology projects in the Auditor & Controller Department.

• Notable Achievements: Established the County's AI best practices.

• Shawn Brom: Registrar of Voters (appointed effective January 9, 2026)

• Professional Background: Over 25 years of experience in the department, starting as a precinct planning technician in 2000 and advancing to Assistant Registrar.

• Other Department Heads:

• Kelly Martinez (Sheriff)

• Larry Cohen (Treasurer/Tax Collector)

• Summer Stephan (District Attorney)

• Jordan Marks (Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk)

• Paul Rodriguez (Public Defender)

• Johnathan Lucas, M.D. (Medical Examiner)

• Migell Acosta (Library Director)

• Tammy Glenn (Communications Director)

Recent Leadership Changes

Several significant leadership changes were announced by the County of San Diego in December 2025, taking effect in early January 2026:

• Nadia Privara Brahms was appointed as the Behavioral Health Services Director, effective January 9, 2026, after serving as the acting director.

• Eric Shiotsugu was appointed as the new Chief Information Officer, effective immediately prior to December 29, 2025, after serving in an acting role