San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo here: happy Friday!

Welcome to this week's Raul Roundup, your go-to source for the latest news, updates, and insights from our community and City Hall. Here’s what’s been going on this week:

Trash Fee Consideration Date Set; Here's Why I Voted No

This week, I voted “No” on advancing the City’s trash fee for a follow-up vote. I voted this way for a few key reasons, but fundamentally, I believe that when the City advertises a dollar amount on the ballot to the voters, the City should honor that. San Diegans depended upon the City’s voter guide for 2022’s Measure B, which estimated the new fee would fall somewhere between $23 and $29 a month. Two years later, the City's analysis shows that the trash fee will be much higher, so I just could not move forward knowing the voters passed the measure relying on an estimate that turned out to be much lower. It’s as simple as that. If you have thoughts on this, of course, I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for Coming Out, Allied Gardens!

Thank you, Allied Gardens, for coming out to the bulk trash event we held on Saturday! A lot of residents took advantage of this event completely filling six dumpsters worth of items. Please stay tuned for our next bulk trash drop off event and thank you to EDCO for their continued partnership to provide the dumpsters for these events!

Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation Volunteer Recognition Event

As one of the country’s largest urban parks, Mission Trails Regional Park’s unparalleled access to trails, educational opportunities, and space for a plethora of outdoor activities makes it a San Diego gem for obvious reasons. It could not, however, play its critical role in peoples’ wellbeing without the hard work of hundreds of volunteers every single year.

On Wednesday, Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation recognized the work of trail work crew folks, visitor center front desk and gift shop volunteers, trail guides, and Trail Tykes readers. I stopped by to share my thanks and join in honoring folks’ outstanding contributions, folks like Tom Walters and George Varga who are celebrating 30 years of volunteering with the park. Thank you to everyone who offers their time and care in staffing the volunteer desk, helping families find the perfect trail, leading school groups through the wonders of this ecosystem, or simply picking up pieces of trash to keep the park beautiful—you are the reason this park is what it is.

Budget Released: Here's How You Can Participate

Yesterday, the Mayor’s released his proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2026. Over the next month, the City Council Budget Review Committee will hear presentations from the Mayor and City Departments about what is and what is not included in the proposed budget.

City of San Diego residents are encouraged to offer their thoughts throughout this process via two, special public input sessions: one on Monday, May 5th and another on Monday, May 19. Please consider attending in-person or virtually to take part in these especially important budget discussions. Stay tuned for a How Do I video tutorial on providing public comment at City Council and Committee meetings.

Grocery Pricing Transparency Ordinance Passed

This week, City Council voted to pass an ordinance that ensures coupons, digital or printed, are protected. With this new ordinance, seniors or anybody without access to smart phones or digital coupons will get the same deals on groceries as everyone else. There are some amendments and clarifications to this new law coming near the end of summer before implementation, so keep an eye open for updates.

Trash Fee Consideration Date Set; Here's Why I Voted No

Thanks for Coming Out, Allied Gardens!

Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation Volunteer Recognition Event

Budget Released: Here's How You Can Participate

Grocery Pricing Transparency Ordinance Passed

Bonus Rafa Pic!