San Diego city councilmembers are searching for ways to chip away at the structural deficit. A few months back, Budget and Finance Committee chair Todd Gloria asked his colleagues to send the Independent Budget Analyst both short-term and long-term solutions to knock down the City's deficit.

On June 8, the budget analyst released a report outlining those ideas.

First on the list is a request to look into raising fees at municipal golf courses as well as a more controversial plan to charge for parking at regional parks, beaches, and bays.

According to a 2005 staff report there are approximately 8000 parking spaces at 44 parking lots near the beach and bay area.

"If the City were to implement a parking fee during peak utilization times, it could generate significant revenue for the General Fund."

However, the coastal commission would have to approve beach and bay parking fees before going into effect.

In addition to beach parking fees, councilmembers also suggested that the budget analyst look into expanding the 4-day/10-hour work schedule for city employees, redirect additional Transit Occupancy Tax revenues to the General Fund, and eliminate as many "take-home vehicles" used by city employees as possible.

The budget committee will review the suggestions during a meeting on June 15.