Murrieta mayor outlines growth, infrastructure and safety priorities in 2025 State of the City

Murrieta Mayor Cindy Warren delivered the 2025 State of the City address at the Myrieta Hot Springs Resort, framing the year’s agenda around managed growth, infrastructure and public safety. She opened by saying the city is "better together" and listed housing and capital projects the council plans to advance.

Warren presented specific housing pipeline figures, saying the city has 1,589 pending units, 3,020 entitled units and 1,837 units under construction, the mayor added that most are multifamily projects. She said the city maintains fiscal stability with reserves at 30% of the operating budget and pointed to Measure T (a 1¢ district sales tax) as a revenue source used for recent capital improvements.

On transportation, Warren detailed the Murrieta Hot Springs Road widening, calling it a $15,000,000 capital improvement that will repair pavement from Margarita Road to Winchester Road and add bike lanes, sidewalks, street lights, a new traffic signal and drainage and landscaping improvements. Construction is expected to wrap up by next summer, she said. The mayor also noted Keller Road is in environmental design with construction expected to start in 2027 to provide freeway access that will improve access to nearby medical facilities.

Warren stressed public-safety investments and programs. She introduced Chief Matt Henry as the police department leader and said the department’s drone program has been deployed more than 600 times this year. She noted a dedicated traffic enforcement team, DUI enforcement officers, and that Murrieta Fire and Rescue has acquired specialized apparatus and will add a sixth fire station on the city’s East Side. Fire Chief Bernie Malloy was recognized for being slated to lead the California Fire Chiefs Association.

The mayor also cited the city’s regional homeless outreach efforts and emergency shelter partner, saying the city’s teams helped more than 200 people in the past year and Project Touch sheltered over 200 individuals, including 48 children. Warren highlighted economic development efforts — including a pipeline of eight hotels and medical-campus expansions at Rancho Springs and Loma Linda University Medical Center Murrieta — that she said will support jobs and local services.

Warren closed by thanking partners, staff and sponsors and inviting attendees to community events and programs including citizens academies and new recreation amenities. The city did not announce binding council votes during the address; the remarks set policy priorities and project timelines for future council and staff action.