Overall spending is up considerably from the current-year budget, due primarily to the sale of $850 million in construction bonds authorized through Measure HH, which San Diego voters approved in the November 2024 election. Unrestricted General Fund spending – at a projected $368.7 million – is up modestly from $361.9 from the current fiscal year.
“We are grateful for the stability in community college funding during a difficult budget year for the state,” said SDCCD Chancellor Gregory Smith. “The tentative budget invests in our mission to uplift our diverse communities with access, belonging, and success in higher education with appropriate safeguards against future economic uncertainty.”
Smith credited the SDCCD’s 5,000 employees for helping the district grow its unrestricted fund balance from 2.2% in 2017-2018 to a projected 17.7% for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
The tentative budget informs planning for the upcoming academic year at San Diego City, Mesa, Miramar, and Continuing Education colleges. It was developed through a collaborative process involving the district’s Board of Trustees, Chancellor Smith and the Chancellor’s Cabinet, the District Budget Planning and Development Council, the District Governance Council, and other individuals and groups representing faculty, classified professionals, and student leadership at the district and college levels.
The district’s local impact is significant. The SDCCD is the largest provider of higher education and workforce training in the county and is responsible for generating an estimated $5.8 billion in added income to the regional economy.
The new fiscal year begins July 1. By law, California community college districts must adopt an annual tentative budget by June 30 and a final budget by September 15.