A Clear Vision for San Diego

"The condition of our streets, sidewalks and facilities is simply unacceptable. We must make infrastructure funding a top priority and hold city staff and contractors accountable for properly maintaining our streets." - Carl DeMaio

Create an infrastructure financing "lock box."
While city government employee retirement benefits have spiraled out of control, eating up a greater and greater percentage of the city's budget, our roads and other infrastructure have lost funding and have therefore fallen into complete disrepair over the years.

Carl proposes imposing discipline on the Mayor and City Council by creating an infrastructure financing "lock box," into which any General Fund revenues generated in excess of 2 percent above the prior year's revenues would be deposited.

The Mayor and the City Council would be prohibited from spending the funds in the lock box for any purpose other than improving our city's roads and other infrastructure, with priority given to repair of streets, sidewalks, and public facilities.

Prioritize community infrastructure bonds.
Carl proposes funding our long-neglected roads and other infrastructure with bonds that are financed entirely through budget savings achieved by reforms and improved management of city resources. Community infrastructure bonds that are financed though improving the way city works will allow the city to address our deferred maintenance and crumbling infrastructure without increasing any taxes or fees.

Begin proper accounting of and budgeting for the city's infrastructure deficit.
The necessary improvements to our city's infrastructure are estimated at over $1 billion, but that estimate is likely low, since it excludes certain assets. Carl insists that the city fully account for and address regular and deferred maintenance, which will reduce long-term costs.

Establish accountability for road repairs.
In order for San Diego's streets to be maintained and repaired the way they should be, the city must change its flawed contract management and project management practices. The focus must be on timeliness and the quality of maintenance and improvements. The responsibility for maintaining city streets is currently spread between several offices.