The San Diego County Board of Supervisors narrowly avoided a financial disaster.
A proposal to raid nearly $380 million from the county’s emergency reserves—funds meant to protect us during wildfires, floods, and economic downturns—was thankfully defeated. But let me be clear: the danger is far from over.
Two of the board are still aggressively pushing to open the floodgates. They want to take money meant for emergencies and use it to fund pet projects and bureaucracy. And unless we stop them, they’ll try again—and next time, they might succeed.
Let’s not forget: San Diego County has long been a beacon of fiscal responsibility in a state plagued by financial chaos. While the state of California faces a $68 billion deficit and the city of San Diego drowns in red ink, the county has maintained a balanced budget and strong reserves. But all of that is now at risk.
When families face financial trouble, they cut back. They make tough decisions. They don’t empty their savings to keep spending on non-essentials. But that’s exactly what some politicians want to do with your money.
If the Board of Supervisors opens up these reserves, not only will we be left vulnerable when disaster strikes—we’ll be staring down the barrel of higher taxes, new fees, and more bloated government departments that don’t deliver core services. We’ve seen it before, and it nearly bankrupted the county. We cannot afford to make the same mistake again.
That’s why the July 1 special election is so critical.
One candidate, Paloma Aguirre, has already said she s dipping into the reserves. That should be a flashing red warning sign for every taxpayer in this county. Her election would give the board the third vote they need to turn our emergency fund into a political piggy bank.
The other candidate, John McCann, has pledged to protect the reserves, prioritize core services like public safety, and keep our county on sound financial footing. He understands that taxpayer money is not Monopoly money—it’s hard-earned, and it deserves to be treated with care.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. If we lose this seat to someone who views fiscal restraint as optional, the consequences will be swift and severe.
We need leadership that will stop the county from turning into Sacramento or the city of San Diego. We need to keep San Diego County strong, stable, and focused on the fundamentals: public safety, infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and responsible governance.
I urge every voter to make their voice heard on July 1. This election isn’t just about a seat on the board—it’s about the future of our county.
Bill Wells is mayor of El Cajon.
