ESCONDIDO — The city is projecting a balanced budget and nearly $30 million in new investments for police, fire, parks and other services in the coming fiscal year, thanks to funds generated by Measure I, the city’s voter-approved, one-cent sales tax increase.
More than 60% of voters supported Measure I last November, and the sales tax increase officially took effect April 1. The city anticipates collecting approximately $38.5 million over the next year, with around $29.6 million earmarked for investments across various departments.
Financial Services Director Christina Holmes said the city would have faced severe financial challenges without the tax measure. Escondido has battled a long-standing structural deficit, and this year, without the sales tax revenue, expenses would have exceeded revenues by roughly $16.8 million.
At a May 21 preliminary operating budget workshop, Holmes warned that the city would face an $18.2 million annual deficit over the next two decades without additional income, which would have necessitated sweeping cuts across most departments.
Without Measure I, the Escondido Police Department could have seen $4.1 million in cuts, including reductions in sworn officers, the loss of the Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) Unit, which addresses community crimes and homelessness, a drop to just one school resource officer from the current three, and the elimination of animal control services.
Instead, the department will receive approximately $7.4 million from Measure I, which will preserve the seven COPPS officers, maintain animal control, boost maintenance and operations, add a program coordinator, and fund the purchase of 37 new police vehicles.
The fire department, which might have been forced to close one of its seven stations and cut an ambulance, will instead receive $9.4 million, maintaining all current stations and ambulances and adding a new division chief, battalion chief, administrative assistant, two utility trucks, and three pumpers.
Other potential cuts avoided by the new funding include the closure of the California Center for the Arts, Escondido Public Library, East Valley Community Center, Park Avenue Community Center, the sports center, and programming at Kit Carson Park. Measure I funds will also prevent cuts to city pool programming, the public art program, park sanitation services, the city’s homeless response, and dozens of staff positions.
The city plans to invest $6.5 million in parks and open space, $1.34 million in Development Services, $2.26 million in one-time and $925,000 in annual infrastructure and public safety needs, $247,000 in the city attorney’s office, $336,000 in the city manager’s office, $110,000 in communications, and $138,000 in human resources.
Overall, Measure I is projected to support 27 new positions, upgrade nine part-time roles to full-time, and reinstate four previously cut positions.
“Thank you for presenting a balanced budget,” said Mayor Dane White at the workshop. “I believe this reflects the priorities set forth by City Council.”
Other council members also praised staff and expressed optimism. “I believe 2025 is going to be a great year for Escondido,” said Councilmember Joe Garcia.
Approximately $8.84 million from Measure I’s first year will remain, and city staff has recommended allocating at least $2 million of that to street improvements, to be discussed at the Capital Improvement Program budget workshop on June 11.
The City Council is expected to adopt the final budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year on June 18.
