How three men struck San Diego’s surprise deal on trash fees and Balboa Park parking; by David Garrick | David.Garrick@sduniontribune.com | The San Diego Union-Tribune | PUBLISHED: May 24, 2026 at 5:00 AM PDT:
The deal simultaneously resolves two of the most fiercely controversial issues facing the city, eliminates the push for a ballot measure that could have posed a major threat to city finances and could help rebuild many San Diegans’ trust in City Hall.
Last week’s unusual, bipartisan deal to end paid parking in Balboa Park and slash new trash fees comes with many consequences and some hidden costs — but also with some new hope for San Diego’s future, the city leaders behind it say.
The deal could be a sign local leaders are starting to rise above the petty politics that have plagued the city for decades, which have often made San Diego feel more like a small town than the nation’s eighth largest city.
The deal simultaneously resolves two of the most fiercely controversial issues facing the city, eliminates the push for a ballot measure that could have posed a major threat to city finances and could help rebuild many San Diegans’ trust in City Hall.
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How three men struck San Diego’s surprise deal on trash fees and Balboa Park parking
