[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,85,97],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6554859,"mediaKeyId","4083358-ac72d1a2b7f1dd54b3d58c9b7bd38fd0","parentId",4083358,"title","Votes at a glance: Escondido council approves consent items, FY26 budget, CIP and a contested 35-unit project","audioSeconds",3393,"startMs",295000,"endMs",3688000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4083358-ac72d1a2b7f1dd54b3d58c9b7bd38fd0&start=295&end=3688","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4083358-ac72d1a2b7f1dd54b3d58c9b7bd38fd0/thumbnail_295000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6554859/Escondido/San-Diego-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Escondido-council-approves-consent-items-FY26-budget-CIP-and-a-contested-35-unit-project","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554859-9cde14f47b52cb9a3d69886c6e8f37e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162127&Signature=Opt14gxpH9bgz3t918iK85P1ckmRDw2dQ2a5pzherQ8rKFiPS6hU7ybgc1YwNwDsQprpYKpNP~HQnamD-ipIsNc~DBokNW7genirSevnOKYe4qkRK32dspBIHJSkFAVNg9nAbo3AAPYeoqVx~5tRoAIIG~lZl7t1pNW9DhnKeeVZU-HI-uq93YLkq8Ki~TIVUNpGodYVrBOUzQnp2lGZRlUlrmOCPAqrGuxNoT-AnLLYyNqNoRj6DcDwlzl09ZaCsmiIl4xRO6LAjkyVRwcuh6sASVPOCdVKvHfWVfuq5kU6kMNVYekULLmujN42Zak3gCGRuUMhdcYCLE-BgvSYsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-19T20:23:46Z","article","The Escondido City Council took the following formal votes at its June 25 meeting:

- Consent calendar (items 1'8): motion to approve consent items passed 5-0. (Motion recorded earlier in the meeting.)

- Fiscal Year 2025'026 operating budget: Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025-74 (FY26 operating budget) and Resolution No. 2025-75 (appropriations limit) passed 5-0.

- Five-year Capital Improvement Program (FY26 CIP and budget resolutions 2025-76, 2025-77 and 2025-78): Motion to authorize staff to proceed with the FY26-FY30 CIP and adopt associated resolutions passed 5-0.

- Planned development and design review permit for 35-unit building at 339 S. Escondido Blvd (Ordinance No. 2025-04; Resolution No. 2025-68): Motion to introduce the ordinance and adopt the resolution passed 3-2. The roll call announcement noted two no votes (Mayor White and one council member with the surname Garcia); the audio record did not unambiguously specify which Council Member Garcia cast the no vote in the roll-call announcement.

All other motions and outcomes announced at the meeting are reflected above; staff and minutes will carry the official record of each vote and the full roll-call details.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Escondido City Council Meeting - June 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council votes at the June 25 meeting: consent calendar items 1'8 approved 5-0; FY26 operating budget and appropriations limit adopted 5-0; five-year CIP adopted 5-0; and the 35-unit project at 339 S. Escondido Blvd approved 3-2.","taxTitle","Escondido, San Diego County, California","taxId",2842,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":46,"_47":79,"_49":80,"_51":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":83,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":84,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6554864,"Council narrowly approves 35-unit downtown project at 339 S. Escondido Blvd; four units deed-restricted very low income",1438,2250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4083358-ac72d1a2b7f1dd54b3d58c9b7bd38fd0&start=2250&end=3688","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4083358-ac72d1a2b7f1dd54b3d58c9b7bd38fd0/thumbnail_2250000.jpg","/articles/6554864/Escondido/San-Diego-County/California/Council-narrowly-approves-35-unit-downtown-project-at-339-S-Escondido-Blvd-four-units-deed-restricted-very-low-income","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554864-b7f8bc948e210d5a351c2d3ed1a78b81/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162127&Signature=ORo7y~bCFEEIHs3JQ2y0aXNfMBa3pp~nAyIlB8a2m7pwq27o~9NOboZPn-XY86WpDdNPoOuktqLA~IBz7lrFhniWr6uM8wMvnDMZ~~3j9QEROhDFaoo1THjG72cbmdnpVpba36pLbfV600DEuZ4sFSETnh8t9ytd~ho2yv1j7iPtOLdnDZ9LqN66wAqi1IWrscimEVnvuk7s2LCabtsOVO6YaMt-djLmHtM3bjFRi1yukTcBFzDfyPZo4nJKaVcu0K~hlSGVFcirFIp8FD028PyMO3icmOvr8OxamMdSs8fvJrH7BSOaoWcJ~EFwfpmauSAXAJmjF0RujORM4kjYKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Escondido City Council on June 25 voted 3-2 to approve a planned development and design review permit to build a five-story, 35-unit residential building at 339 South Escondido Boulevard. The project includes four very-low-income deed-restricted units, 16 off-street parking spaces and a building footprint of about 34,463 square feet.

Ivan Flores, principal planner, described the proposal and the state laws that affect it. The project will demolish an existing property that currently includes four small residential units and an auto dealership. Staff said three of the four existing units qualified as \"protected units\" under the state replacement law (identified in the staff report as a Senate Bill requirement), requiring replacement units as part of redevelopment. The developer is also invoking state density bonus law to increase allowable density; planning staff and the applicant said the density-bonus calculations and replacement requirements overlap so the project will provide four affordable units on-site, three of which replace protected units.

Flores and city planner Veronica Moronis said the project is categorically exempt from further review under CEQA Section 15332 (infill development). The Planning Commission recommended approval on a 4-1 vote; the commission record and discussion raised eligibility questions about a reduction in on-site open space and use of state density-bonus incentives.

Applicant Kyle Carruthers told the council the design includes a range of materials, patios and balconies along Escondido Boulevard and West Fourth Avenue, and that the project cannot accommodate additional parking or open-space area without making the project infeasible on the roughly 10,000-square-foot lot. The proposal provides primarily studio and one-bedroom units; the applicant and staff said that unit mix and proximity to transit were factors in justifying reduced parking requirements under state law.

Council discussion tracked planning staff's explanation and ranged from support for adding housing to concerns about parking, open space and impacts to neighboring businesses. Council members seeking additional time to analyze potential litigation or further legal findings discussed continuing the matter, but a majority voted to adopt the staff recommendation.

The motion to approve the project was moved by Deputy Mayor Martinez and seconded by Council Member Fitzgerald. The council's roll-call announcement of the final tally stated the motion passed 3-2; the record shows two no votes against the motion (Mayor White and one council member with the surname Garcia). The approved actions include introducing Ordinance No. 2025-04 and adopting Resolution No. 2025-68 to approve the project with the conditions listed in the staff report.

The project's approval includes the environmental determination under CEQA Section 15332 and authorization for staff to finalize permit documents and conditions.","By a 3-2 vote, the Escondido City Council approved a five-story, 35-unit residential project at 339 South Escondido Boulevard that includes four deed-restricted very-low-income units, 16 on-site parking spaces and state-authorized density and development waivers.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6554869,"Council OKs five-year capital improvement program; $2 million in Measure I directed to street repairs",675,1538000,2213000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4083358-ac72d1a2b7f1dd54b3d58c9b7bd38fd0&start=1538&end=2213","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4083358-ac72d1a2b7f1dd54b3d58c9b7bd38fd0/thumbnail_1538000.jpg","/articles/6554869/Escondido/San-Diego-County/California/Council-OKs-five-year-capital-improvement-program-2-million-in-Measure-I-directed-to-street-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554869-ab4966aac9e899fc8da1316580ca14a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162127&Signature=Dz39U0yX5wzt7yy9q4K99vTY4OxniGI6hr3drDiVKHG1S58DJH9T9r9MU9CoH9aOk2b0nZi7f12xb-SzKtGySEzcVpjwMik0D54lb73QS5AHeEPUCv69ruPwDiICwVpveXcwvlUsWDGzmUkxY2ywOv~ulDepJ7vmxSJyY0YcK33tRGxtWu71KC~0fusAvbEtSoVSuwFpaxOzn0ja~3f9vM7ZS5cIGBKtiXXaRqWtOou9rewxMusL5d-FZq8rUiNigKD036iffImZMwH8eFuW9I2BiwhWDEOPOGnrJxS2gli9i9pA7XMCCyytVtM83a6tqy9jd9IxMPeRiYCqissYmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Escondido City Council on June 25 authorized staff to move forward with the fiscal year 2025'026 five-year capital improvement program (CIP) and adopted related budget resolutions, approving funding for ongoing and new infrastructure projects.

City accountant Lynn Cruz and city engineer Jonathan Schabel summarized completed projects from the prior year and presented the CIP for 2025'026. The council voted 5-0 to approve the three resolutions that finalize the CIP and associated budgets.

Schabel highlighted completed and ongoing projects, including resurfacing 34 lane miles of streets, replacing 1,900 linear feet of sidewalk and refreshing or adding about 6,000 feet of bike lanes in the East South maintenance zone. Other completed work cited included new lighting at Ryan Park, playground replacements at Kit Carson Park and Mountain View Park using county grant funds, the Citricado Parkway extension (including a bridge and new roadway), and replacement/upsizing of approximately 5,400 linear feet of trunk sewer main and about 1,200 feet of 8-inch sewer main in five sections.

The presentation also described an emergency fence installation along Escondido Creek (about 4,400 linear feet of steel mesh), new pedestrian lighting on Juniper Street and downtown sidewalk widening and roundabouts constructed as part of the Grand Avenue Phase 2 project. Staff said the Broadway roundabout center will receive public art in 2026 following an artist selection later this year.

Staff recommended $2,000,000 in unrestricted Measure I funding be allocated to the city's street program for FY26, which staff estimated would support about eight additional lane miles of resurfacing. Council members praised recent park and street work during the discussion; no public speakers addressed the hearing. The council approved the CIP motions and associated resolutions by unanimous vote.

The council's action authorizes staff to proceed with the listed projects and recurring programs and to implement the FY26 capital budget as presented.","Escondido City Council approved the five-year capital improvement program for fiscal year 2025'026, finalizing funding for completed park and street projects and allocating $2 million of unrestricted Measure I funds to the city's street program.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6554874,"Escondido council adopts FY 2025–26 operating budget, leans on Measure I while warning of long-term deficits",1178,328000,1506000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4083358-ac72d1a2b7f1dd54b3d58c9b7bd38fd0&start=328&end=1506","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4083358-ac72d1a2b7f1dd54b3d58c9b7bd38fd0/thumbnail_328000.jpg","/articles/6554874/Escondido/San-Diego-County/California/Escondido-council-adopts-FY-202526-operating-budget-leans-on-Measure-I-while-warning-of-long-term-deficits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554874-324f9169d72dc373d4ad3ca6ff8baffd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162127&Signature=CVozGC6tzm6dkEijTiAUNyt6mKJx4qdZLyrSHUmWERdTXDAKJhk9QXwxfoJPsCVeqLtVbjokgVu~TeqpDrlC3prfnGIwBmdkQdIw25g9~hzu474THBqhXULYANQMPD-TXe8bUADQzh~4q0kviIwI97UWOz-ER7KxcJMkZsqX6dtqhT-wRrAt7TDQCK~labO0pbTpJgJTBErg~aNKVMeLJKBOALUwzeEXd8PlBSGnvO12kXoZE4fVICTxdu9pCJV6wMGDtsJktJciPYvzo7Gsiqt1OjVoxnr42xPvGhPfkfsg4NMdDEYUgqKDi9mXnZAxbAPz6ZMV6vy-Y3bqabByEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Escondido City Council on June 25 adopted the fiscal year 2025'026 operating budget and a required appropriations limit, approving two resolutions to finalize the city's spending plan.

The budget, presented by Christina Holmes, the city's director of finance, relies on an estimated $38,484,150 from Measure I and projects total sources of $178,649,880 against operating uses of $171,507,390. The council voted 5-0 to adopt resolution number 2025-74 approving the operating budget and resolution number 2025-75 setting the appropriations limit.

Holmes told the council the package includes one-time investments and recurring additions across departments, including funding for critical infrastructure repairs, a citywide customer-service initiative, an economic development program (including an ag- and agtech-focused innovation hub and property-based improvement district), resources for Reedy Creek Golf Course, and initial funding for a Climate Tech citywide energy roadmap project. The recommended operating budget restores or adds staff citywide: 27 new full-time positions, nine positions upgraded from part time to full time, and five positions reinstated from prior cuts. The proposed vehicle and equipment purchases listed in the presentation included replacement of two fire utility trucks, three pumpers and 37 police vehicles.

Holmes said the overall operating revenue is projected to be roughly flat compared with the current year, with an overall decrease of about $40,560. She attributed revenue declines to softer sales-tax and charges-for-services receipts, including the end of a $1 million partnership with the Escondido Union School District that previously reimbursed the city for a before-and-after-school program. Holmes said staff will bring a separate, later report on the Climate Tech citywide energy program and proposed financing plan.

Why it matters: Council members and staff emphasized that Measure I provides funding over the next 20 years to preserve essential services and to invest in projects, but they also noted the city's general fund faces a persistent structural deficit. Holmes said the long-range forecast shows annual deficits now exceeding $10 million and rising to as much as $24 million by fiscal year 2035, even with Measure I revenues.

During public comment Victoria Nayak, an Escondido resident, urged the council to prioritize affordable housing and flagged what she said appeared to be a large reduction in a rental-subsidy line on a budget page (from $37,000 to $3,700). Holmes and Danielle Lopez, the city's housing and neighborhood services manager, responded during the hearing that staff would verify the line-item figure. Lopez later told the council that she had not seen an actual decrease in CDBG funds and that the homeless subcommittee had identified about 10 available rental-assistance slots that had not yet been applied for.

Council discussion acknowledged the one-time and recurring investments proposed and emphasized the need to address the longer-term structural deficit. Several council members thanked staff for work on the budget and urged improvements to the budget-process timeline so community workshop feedback can be provided earlier in future cycles. Deputy Mayor Martinez said the new budget tools and additional staffing will help implement infrastructure projects and the Climate Tech program if council approves the later contract details.

The council approved the two resolutions on unanimous 5-0 votes.","The Escondido City Council on June 25 approved the fiscal year 2025–26 operating budget and the city's appropriations limit, directing new Measure I funds toward public safety, infrastructure and customer-service projects while staff warned of a structural deficit that could reach tens of millions over the next decade.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Escondido council approves consent items, FY26 budget, CIP and a contested 35-unit project

Council narrowly approves 35-unit downtown project at 339 S. Escondido Blvd; four units deed-restricted very low income

Council OKs five-year capital improvement program; $2 million in Measure I directed to street repairs

Escondido council adopts FY 2025–26 operating budget, leans on Measure I while warning of long-term deficits