San Diego Streetlight Repairs Now Average 340 Days

A city audit found streetlight repair times more than doubled since fiscal 2021 while overtime costs rose sharply.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Employment

San Diego Streetlight Repairs Now Average 340 Days

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A San Diego City Auditor's Office report found the average streetlight repair now takes 340 days, up from 144 days in fiscal 2021. Auditors also found workers' vehicles were stationary away from job sites for an average of 2 hours and 25 minutes per stop.

Why it matters

The audit points to management failures in tracking crew activity and completing repairs, which affects public safety and neighborhood lighting across San Diego. The department disputes the findings, saying the audit relied on flawed information.

The City Auditor's Office reviewed vehicle logs from December 2025 through May 2026, finding stationary stops averaging 2 hours and 25 minutes and totaling nearly 200 hours. The department disputes the audit's data, and the scope of any timecard violations has not been resolved.

The players

Bethany Bezak

Bethany Bezak is a San Diego public official whose office is connected to the city's streetlight division oversight.

Naomi Chavez

Naomi Chavez is a San Diego public official involved in the city's review of the streetlight repair program.

Andy Hanau

Andy Hanau is a San Diego public official connected to the city's Transportation Department operations.

Stewart Halpern

Stewart Halpern is a San Diego public official associated with the city's Transportation Department leadership.

The details

Auditors said streetlight repairs slowed after a February 2025 decision to have electricians prioritize resident requests and underground utility location requests, known as DigAlerts, which the department receives at about 6,000 per month. Department managers did not use available tools to track workers and ensure work was completed, and failed to address lengthy stops and periods of crew inactivity, according to the audit.

Fiscal year 2021: average streetlight repair took 144 days.
February 2025: decision shifted electricians toward DigAlert requests, growing the backlog.
December 2025 through May 2026: auditors examined vehicle logs showing stationary workers.
June 2026: department leadership first notified of fraud hotline allegations.
Oct. 14: department COO submitted a written response disputing the audit.

Economic Pressure

The 144-day baseline from fiscal 2021 set the benchmark against which the current 340-day average is measured, and the audit shows repair times more than doubled since then. The gap between that baseline and today's delays is the central finding of the City Auditor's Office review.

San Diego residents waiting for a streetlight repair may face dark streets for many months under current delays. Taxpayers are also funding rising overtime costs tied to the streetlight division.

The takeaway

Long repair backlogs can signal management gaps as much as staffing gaps, and public audits are one way residents can see where city money and time are going. Following local audit releases can help residents track whether promised fixes are delivered.