Mayor Todd Gloria fired the most powerful bureaucrat in city government Tuesday as part of his ongoing effort to balance the city's budget with a $258 million looming shortfall.

Why it matters: The structure of the city's government now puts more power in the mayor's office than any time since voters approved a "strong mayor" form of government 20 years ago.

Follow the money: Gloria saved $5.3 million from next year's budget, eliminating 30 currently vacant positions while consolidating four departments into larger operations.

• He eliminated one position that is currently filled, leading to the immediate departure of chief operating officer Eric Dargan and folding his responsibilities into the mayor's office.

Flashback: Voters in 2004 approved a change from a form of government in which the council appointed a city manager who acted as an executive over the bureaucracy, to one in which the mayor was that executive.

• Every mayor since has delegated authority to a COO to oversee department heads, including the police chief, although the new city charter did not require it.

What he's saying: "The first strong mayor created the first chief operating officer. That has been the status quo for the last 20 years or so," Gloria said.

• "I believe we can make this reduction, the people of San Diego won't necessarily feel it."

What's next: Gloria's new city organizational chart puts department heads under four deputy COOs who answer directly to him, as do the city's chief financial officer along with the police and fire chiefs.

By the numbers: Tuesday's announced cuts amount to 2% of the city's looming shortfall, which includes administrative savings from consolidating departments but overwhelmingly relies on savings from eliminating unfilled positions in those departments from next year's budget.

What we're watching: Gloria is required to release a balanced budget by mid April, and city leaders in recent weeks criticized both him and Dargan for not acting with enough urgency.

More jobs cut

More than half of San Diego County houses for sale in 2024 came with homeowners association fees, according to a recent report.

Why it matters: For many homebuyers, HOA fees are another financial hurdle in an already tough market.

The big picture: HOA dues, which typically cover maintenance and amenities, are becoming more common and costly nationwide.

• They're prevalent in areas full of condos, townhouses and newly built single-family homes, per the report by Realtor.com.

By the numbers: Nationwide, 40.5% of homes listed for sale on Realtor.com in 2024 had HOA dues, with median monthly fees around $125.

• In San Diego County, 55.2% of homes have HOA fees.
• The median monthly cost was $360, but it can exceed $1,000 per month at luxury downtown condos.

Zoom out: Other California cities, including Los Angeles (41.7%) and San Francisco (46.4%), have slightly lower percentages, but higher monthly costs at $400 and $451 respectively.

Between the lines: California's soaring housing insurance rates are raising HOA fees in San Diego County as associations, which often insure buildings and homes' exteriors, are forced to find new, more expensive policies.

Pro tip for home buyers

🛟 San Diego officials sent a $54,000 invoice to the organizers the massive illegal float party on Mission Bay to discourage them from hosting a fifth annual event this July. (Union-Tribune)

👨‍⚖️ A federal judge denied the University of California Student Association's request to block DOGE staff from accessing student data, including "sensitive personal and financial information," as it reviews Dept. of Education programs to slash. (Axios)

🍻Half Door Brewing is closing and selling its historic building in East Village to Villains Brewing Company. (San Diego Magazine)

The San Diego Music Awards are back and voting is underway for the 34th celebration of local performers.

Why it matters: The annual ceremony is also the primary funder of the San Diego Music Foundation's Guitars for Schools program, serving more than 91,000 students at 123 schools.

State of play: The public can vote for winners among nominees in 27 categories through March 31.

• Tickets are also now on sale for the award ceremony at Humphrey's by the Bay on Tuesday, April 29.
• Nathan East — the jazz bassist whose list of collaborators includes Barry White, Quincy Jones, B.B. King, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, and Stevie Wonder — will receive a lifetime achievement award.

Between the lines: Last year's artist of the year, national breakout soul stars Thee Sacred Souls, are nominated again.

• They're competing against Anthony Cullins, Cattle Decapitation, Daring Greatly, Kimmi Bitter, Pierce the Veil and Sun Room.

See who's performing

A new koala joey has joined the crew at the San Diego Zoo.

The big picture: The first two koalas arrived in San Diego 100 years ago, marking the beginning of a partnership with the Taronga Conservation Society Australia.

• The zoo is home to 23 of the marsupials — the largest population outside of Australia.

Zoom in: Inala is the first koala joey born at the zoo in two years, and she was about the size of a jellybean.

• She turned seven months old on Valentine's Day and started to leave her mother's pouch. Visitors can see her in the Australian Outback exhibit.