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News from the City of Carlsbad | Sept. 25, 2025

When it comes to your budget, it’s always a good sign when you have money left over after covering your expenses. We check for the same thing at the city, and I’m glad to say that this year – like most – we have unspent funds from last fiscal year, which ended June 30. In today’s update, I’ll explain how the City Council is putting those dollars to work to protect the city’s long-term financial health.

I’ll also update you on a project to add new lighting to the Barrio and preview upcoming events that are community favorites. Here’s today’s full lineup:

• Investing in the city’s long-term financial health
• New lights coming to the Barrio
• Celebrate National Public Lands Day
• Go behind the scenes with Carlsbad’s first responders
• Pick up free compost and mulch Oct. 4
• Suit up for Carlsbad’s Super Hero Obstacle Race
• Other upcoming events and activities
• Check our city construction map to plan ahead
• Apply to serve on a city commission
• What’s on the agenda for your next City Council meeting

Investing in the city's long-term financial health

In Carlsbad, we have a process in place for what to do with funds remaining after each fiscal year ends on June 30. That process dictates how the city reviews and analyzes the best way to use the money in a fiscally responsible way, instead of simply rolling those funds over.

In that light, on Tuesday, the City Council approved how we will use the excess funds, called “carry forwards.”

Priority 1: Ensure we have enough money in our rainy-day fund

The City Council’s policy is to keep an amount equal to at least 40% of the annual General Fund operating budget in a reserve account. This year, our General Fund reserve is healthy at $146.9 million, which is 61% of the adopted budget. That is about $50 million above the 40% target, so we move on to the next priority.

Priority 2: Manage pension costs

The City Council has two policies that help us remain among the best funded pensions in the region:

• One sets a goal of keeping the city’s pension plan 80% funded
• The other established a separate pension trust account where the city can manage how funds are invested, as opposed to ceding that control to the California Public Employee Retirement System.

These policies are projected to save $8 million over five years. On Tuesday, the City Council approved adding $7.5 million from last year’s savings to the pension trust.

Priority 3: One-time expenses for other needs

After meeting the first two priorities, remaining funds go toward one-time expenses aligned with the City Council’s Five-Year Strategic Plan. This year’s investments include:

• Traffic safety projects
• Encampment cleanups
• Police vehicle improvements and new city vehicles
• Affordable housing
• Improvements to IT services
• Accessibility upgrades to the city’s website
• Storm water system maintenance

The City Council also approved carrying forward the $5.2 million it had budgeted in fiscal year 2023-24 to use as matching funds for a grant to study and design putting the railroad tracks below street level through the Village and Barrio, roughly between the Agua Hedionda Lagoon and Buena Vista Lagoon. The city is partnering with SANDAG and NCTD to pursue the grant funding and project. 

See the full list of funding approved Tuesday and read the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget on our website. 

New lights coming to the Barrio

More than 100 new lights are coming to streets throughout the Barrio to brighten sidewalks for people walking after dark. At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council approved the construction contract for the lights in the Barrio. Work is expected to begin in late 2025 and last about one year.

About the lights

The new lights are considered “pedestrian lights,” rather than streetlights, meaning they are on shorter poles and not as bright.

• The city will use the same style of lights currently used in the Village to preserve community character.
• The lights in the Barrio will have a warmer color than the lights in the Village and the Barrio’s existing streetlights.
• The new lights are energy efficient and use less electricity than other lighting.

The city will notify residents and businesses before construction begins to ensure the community is aware of what to expect and any potential impacts during construction. You can sign up for email updates on this project and other projects planned in the Village and Barrio.

Celebrate National Public Lands Day

If you’re interested in getting involved with the city’s trails program, the next trail volunteer cleanup is this Saturday, Sept. 27, at Lake Calavera, in honor of National Public Lands Day.

Trail volunteer event

Saturday, Sept. 27

8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Lake Calavera Trails

3825 Tamarack Ave.

• The city provides shovels, rakes and other tools, along with a short training for new volunteers.
• Tasks will range from filling holes and repairing erosion to pulling weeds and general maintenance along the Peninsula Trail, Upper Solar Walk Trail, and Calavera Lake Loop Trail.
• Bring water to stay hydrated and make sure to wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, gloves and sunscreen. Gloves will be provided, but please bring your own if you have them.
• Check in at the Tamarack Trailhead, southeast of Strata Drive.

Go behind the scenes with Carlsbad's first responders

Looking ahead to next weekend, our annual Public Safety Open House is on Saturday, Oct. 4, in honor of Fire Prevention Week and National Crime Prevention Month. This free event is always popular and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Carlsbad’s first responders keep our community safe.



Public Safety Open House

Saturday, Oct. 4

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Safety Training Center

5750 Orion St.

Bring the whole family to meet Carlsbad’s police, fire and public works teams.

Highlights include:

• A live fire safety demonstration
• SWAT and K-9 demos
• Sidewalk CPR and home safety tips
• Police, fire and public works vehicles on display
• Resources on wildfire preparedness, crime prevention and traffic safety

Learn more

Pick up free compost and mulch Oct. 4

Also happening on Saturday, Oct. 4, residents can pick up free compost and mulch made from organic waste collected right here in Carlsbad. These materials are part of our citywide organics program that turns food scraps and yard trimmings into something useful.



Fall is the perfect time to prepare your garden for cooler months. Compost adds nutrients to the soil, and mulch helps conserve water and protect plant roots.

Compost & mulch giveaway

Saturday, Oct. 4

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

La Costa Canyon High School

1 Maverick Way

Get the details on how it works.

If you can’t make it, you can visit the Palomar Transfer Station six days a week to collect as much compost and mulch as you'd like.

Self-service compost & mulch

Monday – Saturday

8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Palomar Transfer Station

5960 El Camino Real

Suit up for Carlsbad's Super Hero Obstacle Race

On Sunday, Oct. 5, you can dress up as your favorite hero for our Super Hero Obstacle Race at Alga Norte Community Park. Parents and kids will team up for a 2-kilometer course with 20 themed obstacles, from inflatable slides and mazes to tunnels, rope crawls and more. Participants receive a cape, bib number and medal.

Super Hero Obstacle Race

Sunday, Oct. 5

Alga Norte Community Park

6565 Alicante Road

Register online by Friday, Oct. 3, or at the event, space permitting.

Here’s a look at some of the fun and excitement from previous years!

Learn more

More community events and activities

Here are some additional City of Carlsbad events and activities coming up at our libraries and community centers.

• Cinema Club Friday, "The Amateur" – Friday, Sept. 26, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Older & Bolder Expo (Adults 50+) – Saturday, Sept. 27, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Pine Avenue Community Center
• Caitlin Rother Author Event – Saturday, Sept 27.,10:30 a.m. to noon., Dove Library
• Reel Wednesday, “Nope" – Wednesday, Oct. 1, 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 Fall Community Services Guide.

City construction map helps you plan ahead

Remember to check the city’s construction map to avoid or minimize traffic delays and detours that often come with construction. The map only shows city projects. It doesn’t include construction projects by local utilities, private companies or other agencies.  

As always, thank you for slowing down and moving over in construction zones. Your patience and kindness helps crews keep our city streets running smoothly and goes a long way in keeping everyone safe.

Apply to serve on a city commission

If you’d like to get involved and make a difference in our community, we currently have vacancies on three city commissions and committees.

Applicants must be Carlsbad residents who are registered to vote in the city. You can apply online or contact the City Clerk’s Office at 442-339-2808 for more information.

Buena Vista Joint Powers Committee

One vacancy

Deadline to apply Monday, Oct. 6, at noon

Parks & Recreation Commission

One vacancy

Deadline to apply Thursday, Oct. 16, at noon

Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Citizens Advisory Committee

One vacancy

Deadline to apply Wednesday, Oct. 22, at noon

What's on the agenda for your next City Council meeting

The next City Council meeting is on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. Topics on the agenda include:

• Putting a project to recoat two of the Carlsbad Municipal Water District’s reservoirs out for bids  
• Appointing two members to the Senior Commission  
• Updating the code that governs the water district and revising the policy on shutting off accounts for nonpayment to offer an alternate payment arrangement to all residents, in keeping with current state law 
• Options for the Maerkle Reservoir Site Solar Feasibility Study
• An update on the actions the City Council directed to address concerns related to the Windsor Pointe affordable housing project  
• An update on the Police Department’s enforcement of unlawful camping in vehicles, oversized vehicles and other parking violations 

The agenda and staff reports are available on the city’s website.

3 easy ways to participate

1. Sign up to get agendas and staff reports emailed to you directly
2. Provide feedback via email to clerk@carlsbadca.gov by 2 p.m. the day of the meeting 
3. Sign up to speak at the meeting

… and 3 ways to watch

1. Follow the meeting live on the city's website 
2. Watch the meeting live on the city’s cable channel: Spectrum channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99
3. Watch a recording of the meeting afterward (online or on our channel)

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

Congratulations to our San Diego Padres for clinching a spot in the playoffs for the second year in a row! The team has a flair for the dramatic, earning their postseason spot with a walk-off single in extra innings. That must mean an exciting October of baseball is in store. Can't wait to cheer them on!

Have a great weekend.

Geoff Patnoe

City Manager