Mayor Kevin Faulconer on Monday released a five-minute online video touting the city of San Diego's nearly $3 billion budget that will go into effect next week.
The mayor said half of new revenue is going into improved roads, sidewalks and fire stations. Savings from efficiency programs will also go into neighborhood infrastructure, he said.
"This is the reason why we fought so hard for those reforms, but we're just getting started," Faulconer says in the video, in which he speaks at a desk and, later, on the front lawn of a house while infographics are displayed to the side. The video closes with the mayor speaking at Harbor Island with a view of downtown in the background.
The city's budget includes spending on programs in both affluent and disadvantaged neighborhoods.
"I believe we have a real opportunity to unite San Diego and make sure that all communities benefit equally," Faulconer said.
San Diego's future has "never been brighter," the mayor said.
The spending plan that takes effect July 1 extends library hours, puts more officers in police academies, adds more fire academies and funds construction of a temporary fire station in the Skyline neighborhood to reduce response times in the area.
The budget was passed by the City Council two weeks ago on an 8-1 vote, with Councilman David Alvarez dissenting. Faulconer signed the budget into law on his 100th day in office.
