CARLSBAD: City status report draws 500 attendees

By BARBARA HENRY - Staff Writer | Thursday, August 21, 2008 7:56 PM PDT ∞

Yann Jouanneau, who is visting from Paris, France, lifts up 5-year-old Adam Harvey, of Vista, the son of Jouanneau's friend, over a wave at Tamarack Beach in Carlsbad on Thursday. (Photo by Hayne Palmour IV - Staff Photographer)

CARLSBAD ---- The emphasis was on belt-tightening and fostering a sense of volunteerism as Carlsbad officials gave their annual State of the City assessment Thursday.

The annual event typically features a city-produced video. Last year's video featured footage of bulldozers moving massive mounds of earth and carpenters working on many rows of nearly competed homes. But this year's film, watched by some 500 people at Thursday's luncheon, included shots of home foreclosure signs and vacant commercial space.

"Carlsbad is not going to be immune from the national economic downturn," Councilman Mark Packard said.

However, the city isn't hurting as much as some North County communities. It isn't expecting to lay off city employees or massively cut its budget this year. The city's finance director is forecasting that revenue will once again come in above expenses. Even if it doesn't, Carlsbad has more than $40 million set aside in reserve.

Compare that with the city of Escondido, which scrambled to cut $5 million from its budget this spring after sales tax figures fell, or Oceanside, which at one point had a $2 million budget deficit to deal with this year.

While Carlsbad isn't in that situation, its leaders said Thursday they do need to be cautious about spending its cash. They urged residents to join volunteer programs to help reduce the cost of public trail maintenance and other things.

"Carlsbad is truly a wonderful place to live and it can only be that way because of you," Mayor Bud Lewis said at the close of the city's 25-minute video.

Councilwoman Julie Nygaard said the nation's recent economic woes give Carlsbad a chance to review how it spends its money and make changes.

"I think that's really healthy for us," she said.

City leaders said Thursday that there were many bright spots over the last year, including:

-- The passage of a city-sponsored ballot measure that has allowed Carlsbad to create its own charter to guide municipal affairs. Council members said it could save the city substantial sums.

-- A coastal desalination plant project, which is in the final stages of receiving state approval. A state board is slated to vote Friday on the project. Plans call for the plant to produce up to 50 million gallons of drinking water a day.

-- The grand opening of three hotels and a city fire station.

-- The soon-to-open Library Learning Center. The facility, which offers literacy tutoring and Spanish language books, among other things, will open to the public Saturday morning.

One project is in a holding pattern, however. The City Council decided earlier this summer to delay work on the long-proposed Alga Norte Park, saying it wanted to revisit the issue this fall after it has a better understanding on the state budget.

The park is proposed to go on a 32-acre site along Poinsettia Lane east of El Camino Real. It would contain a swim complex, dog park, skateboard area and playing fields.

Contact staff writer Barbara Henry at (760) 901-4072 or bhenry@nctimes.com.

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Pre-Registration Comments[-]Go to Top

Uncle Duggy wrote on Aug 21, 2008 11:43 AM:I would like to see a park on the beach. Maybe Ponto could be a park and not a Hotel Chain ghetto that the Planning Dept is planning. Is it me of can't the planning dept figure out what the Community wants. A city chartered survey said the Cbad people want a park on the beach. Not 5 miles inland. Vote NO on Farrah Douglas for City council.

Why I love Carlsbad...continued wrote on Aug 21, 2008 12:15 PM:What terrific economic leadership. The City is sitting on a fat reserve of more than $40 million, and, even in this difficult year, it's saving another $2.4 million for a rainy day, while spending less than it takes in. Carlsbad is not only "well-off" and "tight-fisted." It's also incredibly well run. If only our state lawmakers could do half as well. We're really blessed.

Carlsbox Resident wrote on Aug 22, 2008 8:07 AM:Oh yeah.... Carlsbad is blessed..... Yeah right... Someone please buy my box...My neighbor's box just sold for 30% below my outstanding principle. Why did I ever buy in Carlsbox?

Carlsbad lover responds to Carlsbox wrote on Aug 22, 2008 9:53 AM:Wow. Rather than admitting you bought an overpriced home, at the wrong time (when the real estate market was peaking) you prefer to blame the Carlsbad City Council for the entirely predictable, entirely cyclical, nationwide slump in real estate prices. That's not rational. In any event, relative to other North County Cities, Carlsbad home values have held up pretty well. You want to see foreclosure clusters? Look North of Highway 78.

Lloyd wrote on Aug 22, 2008 10:34 AM:Carlsbox believe it or not you are about 50% better off just by having the name Carlsbad in your listing. It is a great city and people want to live here. If you think different look at houseing prices in San Marcos, Vista, and Oceanside and compare. Even across the street on Rancho Santa Fe where the boundaries change from San Elijio to Carlsbad. You should consider yourself lucky for being here.

Carlsbox wrote on Aug 22, 2008 11:01 AM:...always blames his mistakes on the city.

Bill wrote on Aug 22, 2008 11:46 AM:Carlsbox is just another resident that blames others and doesn't look at the benifits of this fine city. Do we have problems, Yes. Does government work for your benifit? Sometimes....but they are working for OUR benifit.
Want to make Carlsbad a better place? Do something besides complain. Get involved.

Carlsbox Resident wrote on Aug 22, 2008 12:31 PM:Oh you are right... I am sure the 6,000 new homes built and the 4,000 still under construction had no effect on the market or price of homes in Carlsbox, home of the never ending row of boxes. Jeeze- I made a huge mistake for ever buying in this Irvine Jr. wasteland. My bad and I'm paying for it. Great- Now we get to compare our neighborhood with San Marcos, Vista, and Oceanside. Thanks for brightening my day.

to Carlsbox Resident wrote on Aug 22, 2008 12:51 PM:Grow up already. The "problems" that you mention have been on the books long before you moved in.

BTW, what Utopian city were you planning to move to? If and when you get there, you'll need to change you moniker to "Utopian Resident."

esteban wrote on Aug 22, 2008 2:16 PM:Dang, Carlsbox just sounds stupid!!!! WWWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWAWAWAAAAAAAAAAAAWAWWAWAWAWAAWAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

Zeus wrote on Aug 22, 2008 2:56 PM:That’s what you get, Carlsbox, for buying in a town whose politician's souls are owned by big national developers. You play, you pay….. and now you are paying. Haaaaa Haaaa Haaaa!

FTM wrote on Aug 22, 2008 3:46 PM:The High School had massive layoffs. The Football field is closed for two years. The police are under paid. You have a town full of old retired people who refuse to spend money on schools because they got no kids at home. Also your elderly are living off investments that are crashing. And, of course, all your retiree citizens are going to die shortly, (because they are old!). And you think things are going to get better? (Follow the money).

Coaster wrote on Aug 22, 2008 3:57 PM:Wow, Carlsbox, were you wearing a blindfold the entire time you were purchasing your home here? Did you not notice the architecture or housing developments before you signed? Bitter, bitter. Carlsbad's got problems, sure, but compared to a lot of places it's pretty nice here. Rather than whine, why not try to fix things? Envision Carlsbad could be just the spot for you once it's up and running...good luck.

harvey wrote on Aug 22, 2008 5:25 PM:zeus was right on the money. When this council votes to put out bids at the non prevailing wage, this city is going to have a big shock. the working man across america isn't going to drop a dime in this berg. and carlsbad will get the greedy reputation it deserves.

Million in RESERVES wrote on Aug 22, 2008 6:32 PM:Come on people - Doesn't it strike you that having such an excess in reserves is serving no one!!! Ok, maybe $10 or even $15 in reserves is reasonable. As a Carlsbad taxpayer, I would like to see better use of my reserve, rather than let it grow mold in the bank. Let's see an improved downtown parking situation, and improved beach parking and other types of improvements that in the long run actually bring in even more revenue (and more reserves to re-invest) Jeez!

Carlsbad Old Timer wrote on Aug 23, 2008 7:54 AM:I agree with “Carlsbox”, but have to add.... thanks for the 30,000 more water users tapping our limited resource..... Thanks to this irresponsible council, all of its Citizens will receive draught conservations measures sooner. Way to pump developer profits, at the expense of your existing residents council. thats it, just keep on issuing more water meters like always.

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