San Diego confirms new COO amid budget concerns over city services

San Diego has confirmed a new chief operating officer with a reported salary of $460,000.

Some residents have expressed concern that while the city had funds to hire a high-paid COO, it lacked sufficient budget to keep public bathrooms open at Mission Bay.

Criticism also includes calls to cut costly city positions, such as garbage can inspectors who currently issue warnings for trash violations.

Suggestions have been made to replace these inspector roles with more affordable technology, like camera systems, to monitor trash and recycling more efficiently.

One opinion expressed hopes that the new COO, Bethany Bezak, will use more common sense than current city leadership, including Mayor Todd Gloria and City Council members, to maintain city services and control government spending.