San Diego mayor announces budget cuts, hiring freeze amid deficit NBC 7 San Diego [Video]

Mayor Todd Gloria announced a hiring freeze Wednesday, along with restrictions on non-essential funding and a reassessment of the city’s leases and contracts as San Diego faces a $258 million deficit in the coming fiscal year.

Gloria said all but the most essential positions will remain unfilled. Overtime is being suspended, and a pause is in effect for spending on travel and training. Officials will also look to monetize city properties such as Golden Hall and halt construction of new facilities, including the Civic Center revitalization project.

“The Five-Year Financial Outlook makes it clear that projected revenue is insufficient to meet the needs of our city. The takeaway is unmistakable: We must cut expenses, and some cuts will be deep — very deep,” City Council President Pro-Tem Joe LaCava said. “I ask my council colleagues to engage now to safeguard the safety of all San Diegans, protect our most vulnerable …