San Diego, CA (December 01, 2009) – The San Diego City Council, in a 6-1 decision, voted against shutting down beach bathrooms as an attempt to reduce the city’s $43 million midyear deficit, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Instead, the council will resort to a one-time use fund in order to shore up the cash to continue running the bathrooms and other public services, like recreation centers and libraries.

From November ’08 through March ’09, there would have been a total of 14 restroom closures, one north of the Kellog Park in La Jolla Shores, another north of Mission Beach, and the remaining twelve in Mission Bay, according to Stacey LoMedico, Park and Recreation Director for the City of San Diego.

During the negotiations, local residents and beach goers suggested for different bathrooms to be the target of the closure, for instance arguing that the winter traffic at La Jolla Shores, which is comprised primarily of surfers, calls for a closure of the south rather than north restroom. But now, no such a compromise is needed and both north and south restroom goers, as well as those of Mission Beach and Mission Bay, don’t have to take an extra walk, at least from Nov 08’ through March ’09.