ESCONDIDO — As the November election results near completion, Escondido residents can expect to see a 1% sales tax increase and a new face on the City Council starting next year.
As of Dec. 3, nearly 76% of San Diego County’s ballots have been counted. Based on these numbers, 61% of Escondido voters supported Measure I, which would apply a one-cent sales tax to purchases made within city limits.
The tax will be collected to provide funding for essential services, including public safety, homelessness response, street and infrastructure improvements, increased police, fire and paramedic services, and the maintenance of parks, trails and open space.
City officials have warned that without the tax increase, Escondido could face significant cuts to city services due to ongoing budget shortfalls.
Incumbent Councilmember Christian Garcia, who is currently serving as deputy mayor, also won his District 3 by a landslide over opponents Veronica Cigarroa and Christine Spencer. Garcia, who was appointed to the vacant seat in early 2023, won nearly 61% of votes.
In District 4, Judy Fitzgerald has secured more than 68% of voters’ approval over her opponent, Rod Howell. Fitzgerald will take over the seat currently held by longtime Councilmember Mike Morasco.
Escondido City Treasurer Douglas Shultz ran for reelection unopposed.
For the Escondido Union High School District board, incumbent Board President Christi Knight has defeated challenger Clay Brown for Trustee Area 3 with nearly double Brown’s votes.
In Trustee Area 4, incumbent Ryan Williams secured his seat with approximately 65% of the vote against challenger Dara Czerwonka.
Williams, who was appointed to the board in early 2023, also celebrates his first election win.
In the Escondido Union School District race for Trustee Area 3, which covers kindergarten through eighth-grade public schools, incumbent Mark Olson has won approximately 53% of the votes over challenger Juan Manuel Vargas.
