New proposed budget cuts could impact city parks, lakes
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — New proposed budget cuts could impact access to area lakes for San Diegans.
The current city budget under review would cut about $59,000 from recreational use which translates to El Capital Reservoir being closed the month of January starting in 2025. In addition, Lake Hodges, which is already closed in January, would be closed for recreational use in February, and Lake Sutherland would be closed on Fridays, cutting it down to only two days of use a week.
“It’s frustrating, this isn’t the first time. It happened in 2019. We had a three percent budget cut then,” said Bruce Smith with Friends of the San Diego Lakes.
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Smith works at an East County bait and tackle store and worries this could impact business. He also works as a fishing guide and is concerned for business.
“That will hurt my business because I won’t be able to take people fishing,” Smith added.
“I’ve been here 70 years paying taxes,” added Jim Edwards who has been fishing and boating in San Diego since he was a child. “It’s getting to be a habit. They take more away, more away and we don’t get it back. What’s going be there for my grandkids?”
The city council will continue to review the budget through May and a final decision is expected in June.
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