The operating ratio demonstrates the ability to generate revenues to fund current or desired service levels. A ratio of 1:1 or higher indicates budget solvency. The ratio is measured by comparing audited General Fund expenditures to audited General Fund revenues. The measure focuses on the General Fund as it is the County's chief operating fund.

This chart focuses on the General Fund as it is the County's chief operating fund. When audited General Fund Revenues equal or exceed audited General Fund Expenditures in any year, it indicates budget solvency and an ability to fund current or desired service levels.

Unfunded Actuarial Accrued Liability (UAAL) is the difference between the retirement plan’s actuarial accrued liabilities and plan assets.

The pension funded ratio compares actuarial assets to actuarial accrued liabilities. High ratios indicate a well-funded plan with assets sufficient to cover liabilities. Lower ratios may indicate poor asset performance, recent changes to actuarial assumptions such as reductions to the assumed rate of return, or a variety of other factors.

The County Assessor prepares the local roll of taxable property each year which reports the assessed values of real and personal property (secured and unsecured property). Growth in assessed value can be impacted by changes in the real estate market such as changes in ownership, new construction and inflation.

Net Pension Liability (NPL) is a financial metric reported in the County’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) which represents the value of retirement benefits that exceed resources available to fund them. The NPL differs from the UAAL in that it compares total pension liability and market value of assets. Only the County’s share of the NPL is reported in the CAFR.

The debt ratio shows the County's debt in relation to the revenues each year. This ratio is calculated by comparing annual principal and interest payments on long-term obligations of the General Fund to budgeted General Fund revenue. The limit, as set in the County's Administrative code, is set at 5%.

Data set which aligns multiple County of San Diego financial metrics to activities, programs, and process measures which ultimately drive the enterprise’s fiscal stability. The County measures fiscal stability by maintaining a high credit rating.

Pensions represent an important component of the County’s long term financial obligations. It is important to measure changes in the pension liability so that the County can best plan for the long-term.

The size, diversity, and strength of a local government’s tax base impact its ability to generate financial resources. Changing economic conditions - including changes in the real estate market - impact the county's revenue and workload, along with the strategies used to manage the public's resources. Changes in the real estate market directly impact the County's general purpose revenue, the Board of Supervisor's only source of discretionary spending.