ENCINITAS – Mayor Bruce Ehlers used an acronym from his professional background in engineering to describe the last year in Encinitas: G.S.D.
Or at least the phrase was repurposed to fit the State of the City event at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center on April 9.
“I’m going to clean it up for this PG crowd,” Ehlers said. “I’ll just say that it stands for ‘get stuff done.’
“I’m proud to say, in 2025, Encinitas got stuff done – and amazed me, even. The staff responded so well and now we’re ready to build on this momentum going into the next year and keep progressing.”
The event, which was hosted by the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce, began with a welcome reception and networking. Local restaurants provided food and drinks.
Around 250 business owners, city employees and other members of the community attended, according to a spokesperson for the Chamber of Commerce.
Boy Scout Troop 776 presented colors. Chamber Chairman Michael Glenn reflected on both the businesses lost and gained in Encinitas over the years.
“The more things change in this town, the more they seem to stay the same,” Glenn said. “I want to give a big thank you to the people who volunteer in this community. The people who respect each other in this community, and the people who shop local. You’re the ones that continue to make Encinitas such an amazing place to live, raise a family and own a business.”
Ehlers pointed to roadways as a key area of improvement in 2025.
The Pavement Condition Index, PCI, for the city was 75 in 2025, an improvement over recent years, according to city documents. Arterial roads saw the greatest increase in surface improvements when compared to 2020 figures, increasing from 71 to 83 overall. Collector roads saw a 2-point increase in PCI, while residential roads saw a 4-point decrease in the five-year comparison.
Ehlers said that this year, the city has paved 15 miles of roadway and plans to complete another 18 miles by the summer.
“We’re moving at a rapid pace and we’re on track to deliver nearly two years’ worth of pavement improvements in just one year,” he said. “That’s because we were a full year behind – we’re now going to be caught up. When we allocate the money, we will spend the money. We’ll get it done.”
Ehlers said that the city has “made meaningful progress in addressing flooding in Leucadia” and will continue to do more after receiving feedback from a comprehensive analysis of the underground stormwater system.
He thanked sheriff’s Capt. Shane Watts of the North Coastal Station in Encinitas, for his leadership and communication skills, which were a big factor in the city’s reduction in many categories of crime. Ehlers pointed to the department’s maximum enforcement days as a creative and effective enforcement strategy for combating an all-too-common problem in the city.
“We recognize Encinitas has a worsening driver behavior problem,” the mayor said. “A decade of data confirms this, confirms what many of us experience every day. Too many people are speeding, distracted driving, ignoring stop signs and running red lights. To reverse the worsening trend, we’ve lowered speed limits where appropriate and increased enforcement.
“By focusing both on behavior and design, we’re creating a safer Encinitas for everyone – whether they’re pedestrians, whether they’re bicyclists, or whether they’re drivers.”
Ehlers highlighted the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association’s Best Restored Beach award that Encinitas won as evidence of its commitment to preserving its coastline through a series of projects with different partners.
“In Encinitas, we’re defined by our coastline,” he said. “Protecting our beaches protects our quality of life, our environment, and our local economy.”
Ehlers also credited previous council administrations and city staffers for laying the groundwork for coastal preservation.
“I never forget that most of these projects take multiple generations of councils to get there,” he said.
Ehlers thanked Fire Chief Josh Gordon by saying he “has already deemed regional coordination” in preparation for “an inevitable wildfire.”
The mayor also pointed to coordination and communication efforts stemming from concerns about federal immigration enforcement in the city.
“We know aggressive federal immigration enforcement is top of mind for many in our community,” Ehlers said. “Over the past year, the city has taken steps to address concerns while ensuring transparency and adherence to the law.”
Ehlers pointed to Senate Bill 54 as laying out clear rules for the city and the Sheriff’s Office not to assist federal immigration enforcement. He highlighted the city’s efforts to launch a know-your-rights campaign and to better communicate with regional and federal partners.
“Sometimes the agencies have cooperated,” Ehlers said. “But other times, they have not, and it’s frustrating. We shall continue to press for cooperation, transparency, and just treatment for all.”
Following the termination of its safe parking program, Ehlers said “the council is looking for new ways to serve those clients” while also recognizing broader goals “to connect them to permanent, supportive housing instead of shorter term solutions like having to sleep in a car.”
“Moving forward, our approach will be balanced, continuing to provide services while also enforcing public health and safety laws to maintain safe, accessible spaces for the entire community,” he said.
He said improving the permitting system would also be a focus moving forward. Ehlers told a story about a time when it took him over a week to get a response from the city, and he said, “I decided I would use my mayor card and see where things were stuck.”
“Bottom line, our permitting process is broken and fixing it is one of my top priorities,” he said. “Because if we want to support local businesses, our systems need to truly serve them.”
Overall, Ehlers found much to be optimistic about when reflecting on his time as both mayor and a longtime resident.
“I’ve lived in Encinitas since right before we incorporated, and it still feels like it’s paradise,” he said. “I’m committed to keeping it that way for generations to come.
“So in closing, as we look ahead to 2026, we’re going to keep the momentum going, get stuff done … Our city is delivering on what matters most: safe community, safe streets, maintaining roads, good storm drains, thoughtful and balanced approaches to homelessness, strong local control, and operational excellence.
“But most importantly, we’re getting stuff done together.”
