There has been some debate over the mayor's proposed use of an 11 million dollar budget surplus.
San Diego Mayor Bob Filner wants to use part of an $11 million budget surplus for the operations and monitoring of the seal camera in La Jolla.
While it may fascinate a few, others are concerned the mayor may be missing the big picture.
Property tax collections are up and government rent is down. Those factors combined amount to an $11 million windfall but what's a city to do?
“Redeveloping our waterfront I think there is a lot that can be done there,” said Downtown resident Lyla Altevers.
Mayor Filner wants to throw money at police, fire and rescue, and streets but also $50,000 for seal watching.
“It puts us on the map both for international research and for tourism,” Mayor Filner said.
Another $50,000 for public toilets and maintenance would be spent on the city’s homeless.
“This is a basic human need for basic human dignity,” Mayor Filner said.
“We do need to keep our city clean. I think that's a better use than say monitoring the seals,” Altevers said.
The mayor is committing $600,000 to keep open year-round the veterans’ homeless shelter and another $50,000 for the check-in center.
Even he admits it's not the solution to the San Diego’s transient problems.
The Mayor said his proposals will show taxpayers a far more responsive government. He'll need a city council resolution to pass them.
The city’s budget deadline is July 1.