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News from the City of Carlsbad | May 22, 2025

At first glance, Sunday hours at the library and making sure reliable water flows when you turn on your tap might not seem connected—but both are core city services made possible by the City of Carlsbad’s annual budget.

I’m starting today’s update with that in mind because at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, we presented the proposed budget for the next fiscal year. And this week offered timely reminders of how these funds support our community:

• On Sunday, the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane and the Georgina Cole Library reopened for Sunday hours for the first time since the pandemic. Watch the highlights.
• It’s also National Public Works Week, a chance to recognize the team that keeps our city running — from roads to clean water to facility maintenance. Watch a behind-the-scenes video of the team in action.

I’ll have more on each of these topics in today’s update. Here’s the full lineup:

• Balanced budget presented to City Council
• Kick off your summer reading with the library
• Latest homeless count released
• Recognizing Carlsbad’s Public Works professionals
• Construction map helps you plan ahead
• Memorial Day weekend holiday hours
• Staying safe this Memorial Day weekend
• Community events and activities
• Upcoming city meetings

Balanced budget presented to City Council

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, we presented the preliminary budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which begins July 1.

• The proposed budget invests in the community’s highest priorities, sets aside money for future infrastructure needs and grows the city’s cash reserves – all while projecting a balanced budget through fiscal year 2031.
• The proposed spending plan covers most day-to-day city services and allows the city to continue investing in key projects and services that support the City Council's 5-Year Strategic Plan goals.
• This includes key investments in public safety, sustainability, infrastructure, community character and the efficiency of our organization.

If you missed the meeting, you can watch a recording of the budget presentation.

Next up will be the June 17 public hearing, when the City Council will consider adopting the final budget.

You can review the proposed budget and get an overview of what’s included our website.

Kick off summer reading with the library

Thank you to everyone who visited the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane and Georgina Cole Library last Sunday for our first day back with Sunday hours.

Members of our community took full advantage of the extra hours to explore and find a new read, as you’ll see in this video. (My daughter and I headed to both branches to check out puzzles and say hi to staff, but unfortunately didn’t make a cameo).

Speaking of the library, mark your calendars and plan to visit on Sunday, June 1, for the kickoff of the city’s annual Summer Reading Adventure. This popular reading challenge runs from June 1 to Aug. 10 and gives readers of all ages a chance to earn rewards as they read throughout the summer.

Summer Reading Kick-Off 

Sunday, June 1 

1 to 5 p.m. 

Cole Library and Dove Library

This year’s theme, “Level Up at Your Library,” invites participants to try out new activities, unlock new skills and find great reads at all three library locations and online. If you sign up for the challenge on June 1 you can receive a free book. 

How does it work?

Register – Starting Sunday, June 1, sign up at carlsbadlibrary.beanstack.org or use the Beanstack Tracker app on the Apple App or Google Play stores for your phone. Log into your account, or create one, and sign up for the Summer Reading Adventure challenge that matches your age.

Record – In Beanstack, log the amount of time you spend reading each week.

Report – Children 12 and under can receive a free book by sharing their recent reads with a friendly volunteer in the children’s area of each library location.

Rewards – Rewards will be available for pickup starting June 9 at all library locations.

Latest homeless count released

Earlier this week, the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness released the results of January’s Point in Time Count, a national effort to collect data on homelessness on the same day over a four-hour period.

• The results show the number of unsheltered people experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad was 101, a 10% decrease from the 112 counted in 2024.
• Regionwide, unsheltered homelessness decreased by about 7% since 2024.

Of the unsheltered individuals counted in Carlsbad, 61 – or approximately 60% – were living in vehicles. This count took place prior to the City Council’s adoption of an updated unlawful camping ordinance in March, which now includes vehicles.

Since then, the city has also launched a new grant-funded outreach program in the Village, Barrio and Beach areas that specifically focuses on helping people living in their cars get into stable housing.

Because the Point in Time Count results are just a snapshot and can vary widely, we use a variety of data points tracked year-round to broadly assess our efforts. The city’s latest progress report for July 2023 – June 2024 has detailed information about our efforts and included these results:

The next report will be presented to the City Council in about a month.

Recognizing Carlsbad’s public works professionals

Monday marked the beginning of National Public Works Week, a time to recognize the dedicated professionals who keep our city running smoothly. Our public works teams are busy every day, protecting our natural resources and supporting sustainability efforts, ensuring our roads are in good condition, our water is safe and reliable, construction projects are done right, and maintaining emergency and city vehicles and facilities.

Most of the time, their work goes unnoticed—and that’s exactly how it’s meant to be—but this week I’m giving them a special shout out. Learn more about all they do by watching this behind-the-scenes video and taking a look at some of the fun facts below.

• Our utilities team maintains 830 miles of pipeline and delivers 4.4 billion gallons of drinking water each year.
• Our environmental sustainability team diverts almost 29,000 tons of organics from the landfill to become compost and mulch each year.
• Our facilities team maintains all city-owned facilities and our fleet team ensures 490 vehicles and equipment run safely and efficiently.
• Our transportation team maintains 350 miles of streets and nearly 8,000 streetlights

Thank you to all our Public Works crews for working so hard to provide top quality services to our community. 

City construction map

While we’re talking about Public Works, don’t forget to check our weekly construction map to see where city projects are happening that may impact traffic.

Checking the map allows you to plan ahead and take an alternate route, saving you time and helping keep traffic flowing safely through construction zones. Remember, the map only shows city projects, not work being done by utilities or private companies.

No work is planned over Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day weekend city hours

In observance of Memorial Day, city offices, libraries and community centers in Carlsbad will be closed on Monday, May 26. Trash pickup will continue as scheduled next week and there will be no delay in service.

A full holiday schedule for city services is listed below:

• Trash pickup: No delay
• City offices: Closed
• Emergency services: Regular service
• City libraries: Closed
• Cannon Art Gallery: Closed
• City sculpture garden: Closed
• Alga Norte Aquatic Center: Close at 2 p.m.
• Community centers: Closed
• Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park: Closed
• Senior Center: Closed
• No street sweeping on city holidays
• Transit: For the holiday transit schedule, please visit gonctd.com or call 5-1-1

Staying safe this Memorial Day

As we honor those who served, let's also remember that small actions—like driving safely and staying alert—can help keep our streets safer together.

With more people expected on the roads this weekend, whether you're heading out of town or staying close to home, here are a few simple ways we can all help keep our community safe:

• Slow down.
• Put away distractions like your cell phone.
• Do the Dutch reach. When exiting your vehicle, use your far hand (the hand farthest from the door) to open the door. This forces you to turn your body and look over your shoulder, reducing the risk of hitting a person on a bike with your door.
• Follow all traffic signs and lights, whether you’re driving or biking. If you’re on an e-bike, please review our e-bike rules of the road.
• Plan for a safe ride home – select a designated driver or use rideshare services.

Carlsbad Police will have extra enforcement out this weekend and as always, call 9-1-1 if you see an impaired driver on the road.

Community events and activities

Here are some City of Carlsbad events and activities coming up soon at our libraries, community centers and the Carlsbad Senior Center.

• Cinema Club, “Pap Aye" – Friday, May 23, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Self Defense with Karate (adults 50+) – Saturday, May 24, 10:45 a.m., Carlsbad Senior Center
• Front Row Saturday - Kūhai Hālau OʻIlima Pā ʻŌlapa Kahiko Dance Troupe – Saturday, May 24, 5 p.m., Dove Library
• Reel Wednesday, “After Yang" – Wednesday, May 28, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library

Find more activities and information in our city calendar, the Senior Center’s Seaside Insider newsletter and our Spring Community Services Guide.

Upcoming city meetings

The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, June 10, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, but next week our Library Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet.

Board and commission meetings are also livestreamed on the city’s website and available to watch afterward. You can see the meeting schedule on our city calendar.

As we head into the holiday weekend, I also want to reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day and honor the individuals who have given their lives in service to our country. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Have a safe weekend. I’ll be back next week with more updates.



Geoff Patnoe

City Manager