The City of Carlsbad Council approved a balanced budget that will make key investments into the fire department, Veterans Memorial Park (hopefully with those Mountain Bike courses they’ve been promising for years) and adding more officers to the Police Department.
For all the details, please follow the jump.
Carlsbad City Council adopts balanced budget with prudent investment in services and reserves
The Carlsbad City Council approved next fiscal year’s budget Tuesday, which invests in the community’s highest priorities, sets aside money for future infrastructure needs and grows the city’s cash reserves – all while projecting a balanced budget through fiscal year 2031.
While economic uncertainty remains due to factors like low consumer confidence, tariffs and the potential for rising inflation, the city remains financially healthy today with an AAA credit rating, strong reserves and among the lowest pension debts in the region.
The adopted budget covers most day-to-day services and allows the city to continue investing in key projects and services that support the City Council’s 5-Year Strategic Plan goals.
Key investments include:
Public safety
Increasing Fire Department service capacity through the purchase of a new aerial ladder fire truck projected to cost $2.6 million
Reclassifying six EMTs to paramedic firefighters in a multi-year effort to enhance emergency response
Sustainability
Advancing initiatives in the City Council’s adopted Climate Action Plan to meet council-directed sustainability goals, including switching all of the energy used to power city government buildings, facilities and operations to the Clean Energy Alliance’s 100% renewable energy option
Accelerating the replacement of the city’s combustion engine fleet with the purchase of 14 electric and 15 hybrid vehicles
Community character & connection
Construction of Veterans Memorial Park, which is expected to begin late this year. The 93.7-acre site will honor veterans for their service and celebrate the site’s natural beauty and views. It will feature family-oriented amenities, and minimize environmental impacts by maintaining over half of the land as protected habitat.
Expanded support of program offerings and services at the newly upgraded Schulman Auditorium at the Dove Library
Continuing mid-year commitments
The budget also incorporates continued funding to support initiatives approved by the City Council earlier this year as part of the mid-year budget:
Continued funding for fire mitigation and preparedness efforts by an additional $550,000 for brush and vegetation management across the city’s 6,500 acres of preserves and hazard reduction within the city-owned urban forests such as Hosp Grove
Six positions in the Police Department to improve response times, assist with traffic mitigation particularly for special events, enhance digital forensics services and assist in resolving internet crimes against children
Maintain the return of Sunday hours at the city’s Georgina Cole Library and Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, which began May 18
The city operates on a fiscal year that goes from July 1 to June 30.
Budget at a glance
The budget is available to review online. Here are some highlights.
General Fund operating budget
$242.8 million
Projected General Fund revenues
$243.3 million
Changes in total full-time equivalent staffing
3.25
Projected General Fund reserve % as of June 30, 2025 (goal is 40%)
61%
Current rate of inflation
Estimated pension funding ratio (goal is 80%)
3.8%
77%
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