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Escondido council adopts community services fee updates, five‑year CIP and FY2027 budget with Measure I investments
Summary
The City Council approved fee schedule updates, the five‑year Capital Improvement Program and the FY2027 operating budget; Measure I funds were highlighted for traffic safety and public safety staffing increases, and the budget adds 19 positions including four for police traffic enforcement.
The Escondido City Council on June 17 approved a package of fiscal and capital actions: adoption of the community services fee schedule updates, formal adoption of the five‑year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and the FY2027 operating budget. Each motion passed unanimously, 5‑0.
Robert Rhodess, assistant director of community services, summarized fee updates that respond to prior council direction: adjustments to learn‑to‑swim pricing, a senior discount for Park Avenue Community Center rentals, reduced tennis court fees following decreased use, modified group activity pricing and new cost‑recovery rules for special‑event staffing. Council clarified the effective date for several changes (staff clarified that some implementation will begin July 1). The council adopted Resolution 2026‑103 to approve the fee updates.
Vinnie Bernabo (city manager's office) presented the CIP for fiscal years 2026–27 through 2030–31. The plan prioritizes traffic safety (the largest share of investment), public safety equipment and targeted community amenities; total capital investment was presented at about $21.5 million for the plan period with roughly $1.87 million supported by Measure I. Council asked for emphasis on the West Valley Parkway/Citracado design study, which staff described as a scoping/design analysis rather than construction.
Christina Holmes, director of finance, presented the FY2027 operating budget and said the plan balances Measure I local district revenue and general fund projections. The budget adds 19 new positions and funds two citywide initiatives highlighted in the presentation: a wildfire mitigation tool and continued traffic‑safety investments (including four police department positions for traffic enforcement, additional digital message boards, and a traffic safety commission allocation). The proposed operating budget and related resolutions (including appropriations limits and compensation plans) were approved by council vote 5‑0.
Public commenters acknowledged staff work while urging additional public safety staffing and caution on large projects. Council members commended staff for outreach and emphasized Measure I’s role allowing targeted investments. The adopted CIP and budget will be reflected on the city’s CIP dashboard for public tracking.
What happens next: the fee schedule, adopted CIP resolutions and FY2027 budget were approved on June 17 and will move into implementation planning and dashboard publication; staff signaled follow‑up on details such as Marching order for field replacements if park uses were affected and vendor reporting for capital projects.
