720 N Broadway
Escondido, CA 92025
FEBRUARY 28, 2018
Greetings!

This morning, Mayor Abed delivered a robust State of the City Address to packed house with 450+ attendees at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Understanding the city objectives, current success and anticipated hurdles puts us in a stronger position, as business owners and citizens, to work collaboratively toward a bright future.

Here are the highlights from Abed's 8th Annual Address :

CITY COUNCIL ACTION PLAN

Economic Development: Unprecedented economic growth, leading the region in business attraction and private investment with 35 significant upper scale projects valued at $1.5 billion. Sales tax revenue is projected to reach a record high of $40 million in 2018.

Financial Stability: Seven consecutive years of balanced budgets, not using reserves, with a surplus totaling $10 million, part of which will fund an Irrevocable Pension Trust, helping to offset the expected multi million, year over year PERS increases. The City also holds a AA- bond rating by Standard and Poor's.

Public Safety: Proactive Community-Oriented Policing to achieve positive and tangible results, one neighborhood at the time. A three-year labor agreement was reached with both Police and Fire Associations, sharing the cost of retirement and health care. Both fire and Police are fully staffed.

Neighborhood Improvement: Seven parks and five recreation centers have received much needed improvements. Escondido retains the second and third most popular tourist attractions with the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and Stone Brewing Company. Road improvements have also included 5-miles of bike lanes and a 7-mile bike path will soon be completed. SANDAG is requesting funding for an EIR to expand the HOV lanes from 1-15 to HW 78.

CHALLENGES

The surging homeless population in need of mental health services as promised by the state after the passing of AB109 and Props 47 an&57. The city has partnered with local service providers to address the growing needs.

State Pension reform is needed to ultimately address the growing obligations placed on local governments to bridge the gap on unfunded liabilities. Escondido is one of the first cities to implement pension reform at the lowest level allowed by the State.

THE FUTURE

Hotel development and the redevelopment of the downtown Palomar Hospital site are in the works.

Infrastructure improvements with recycled water for agriculture and improving the Pavement Condition Index by addressing much needed repairs.

"Going Paperless" with agenda management and rolling out a new online Utility Billing System. Business License renewal is also targeted for streamlining.

Becoming a SMARTER CITY with service calls through the REPORT IT app.

Draft policy has been developed for a Business Park at 1-15 and HW 78, making it ready for technology companies.

Sam Abed's closing remarks, "Let us celebrate our successes that are happening every day in our neighborhoods, our schools, our businesses and in every corner in our community. Let us realize our dream of a future inspired by 21st century innovation. I will continue to honor our trust and lead our City with pride, thoughtfulness and passion. I am deeply committed to providing the American Dream for us and our families. Together, we will make Escondido the greatest city in San Diego."

Sincerely,

Rorie Johnston
YOUR CITY in 5 Minutes
CONGRATS GO 2 GROW ON YOUR REOPENING
MONTHLY EVENTS

March 6, 2018 | 11:30AM - 1PM
Escondido Chamber

March 6, 2018 | 4PM - 5PM
Escondido Chamber

March 8, 2018 | 12PM - 1PM

March 8, 2018 | 5PM - 7PM
Escondido Chamber

March 12, 2018 | 12PM - 1PM

March 21, 2018 | 11:30AM - 1PM

March 23, 2018 | 7:30AM - 9AM
Speaker: Araceli Wilson & Corie De Anda from Escondido Education Foundation & MANA Of North County
HIGHLIGHTED BUSINESS
Can you believe that Pacific Standard Insurance Services, Inc. has been a member of the Escondido Chamber of Commerce for over 83 years, making them our longest member. They joined the Escondido Chamber of Commerce on February 1, 1935. That was over 30,342 days ago. A lot has changed since then, but one thing has stayed constant... and that is the membership of Pacific Standard Insurance Services, Inc. Congratulations Pacific Standard Insurance Services, Inc. on your anniversary with the Escondido Chamber of Commerce of 83 years!

Pacific Standard Insurance Services, Inc, commented, "We are so proud to have been a member of the Escondido Chamber of Commerce for 83 years!!! The Chamber has opened up SO many doors for us as a Company, and for our employees and sales force...as we move into a new age of healthcare, stay relevant and ahead of technological trends and redefine client satisfaction and relationships! Thank you  Escondido Chamber of Commerce !!!  #StayConnected   #Network   #OurTown   #VoiceToLocalGovernment   #Hustle #EngageInEconomicDevelopment   #PromoteCommerceAndCommunity ".

Pacific Standard Insurance Services, inc. is dedicated to providing their clients with the highest quality insurance, benefits and risk management services and expertise through the personal commitment of each employee. It;s this commitment that has allowed the, to continue long lasting relationships with their customers.
MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to our Chamber Members who or celebrating their February and March Anniversaries! Thank you for making a difference in our community!

Our Longest Member - 83 Years or 30,342 Days

30+ Years
San Diego Zoo Safari Park 3/1/1979
Tri-Ad Actuaries, Inc. 3/1/1979
Escondido Union Elementary School District 2/1/1980
California Bank and Trust 2/1/1982
Patio Playhouse Community Theatre 3/10/1982

20+ Years
Mount Vernon Inn 2/14/1991
R Hay & Grain 2/28/1992
Masson & Associates, Inc. 2/15/1994
Alternatives Women's Center 3/16/1995
Superior Ready Mix Concrete 3/21/1995
Goodwill Industries of San Diego County 2/6/1996
Lounsbery Ferguson Altona & Peak LLP 3/13/1996
Law Office of Constance J. Larsen 3/15/1996
Diamond Environmental Services 2/7/1998
All Star Signs 2/19/1998
California Funeral Alternatives 3/19/1998
Escondido Police Officers Association, Inc. 3/31/1998

10+ Years
Hidden Valley Orthodontics 3/29/1999
George Weir Asphalt Construction 3/14/2000
San Diego Children's Discovery Museum 3/14/2000
Bradford G. Baker, DDS MS Inc. 3/20/2000
Pala Casino Spa and Resort 2/5/2001
Stater Brothers #140 2/22/2001
Escondido Charter High School 3/19/2001
Pacific Western Bank 3/21/2001
Jill E. Campbell Civic Member 3/13/2002
O'Sullivan's Irish Pub & Restaurant 3/1/2004
Escondido Republican Club 2/23/2005
Brown, Joel 3/8/2005
Integrity 1st Mortgage 3/6/2008

5+ Years
Felicita Creek Apartments 2/5/2009
LINE-X Of Escondido 2/5/2009
Erickson-Hall Construction Co. 2/20/2009
Scripps Health 3/1/2009
Kidz Care Dental Group 3/26/2009
Escondido Democratic Club 3/1/2012
Brouwer Insurance Agency 3/9/2012
Crossfit Xystum, LLC 2/7/2013
ProQuality Contracting 3/5/2013
Mi Guadalajara 3/5/2013
Navy Federal Credit Union 3/11/2013

2-4 Years
Best Western Escondido Hotel 2/4/2014
Integral Communities 2/11/2014
Duncan Hunter, For Congress 2/28/2014
The Foundation for Senior Wellbeing 3/18/2014
Habitat for Humanity ReStore 3/21/2014
York Scientific Inc. 3/26/2014
Green-Go Recycling, INC 2/11/2015
EmbroidMe 2/17/2015
Vista del Lago Senior Care 3/3/2015
Felicita Vida 3/23/2015
Spiritivity 3/27/2015
H & R Block 2/9/2016
Jalapeno Grill & Cantina 2/22/2016
Southwest Strategies 3/23/2016
Quality Cleaning & Maintenance Service 3/28/2016
Claytor Construction 3/29/2016
Alzheimer's Association 3/31/2016

1 Year
E & J Metal Supply Inc. 2/10/2017
Cura Home Health 2/15/2017
The Cryo Warehouse 2/21/2017
Coldwell Banker - Traci Bass 2/22/2017
Caliwaii Group Inc 2/22/2017
Diane Hagen Accounting Services 2/24/2017
San Diego Oasis 3/2/2017
Allstate/Timmons Insurance Company 3/9/2017
California College of San Diego 3/16/2017
5th Ave Auto Service 3/21/2017
Jacked Up Brewery 3/21/2017
Rayvision Design, Inc. 3/21/2017
NEW MEMEBERS
STAY INFORMED
EM - ESCONDIDO MAGAZINE
Act now...deadline to advertise is March 1st. Make sure to get your advertisement in TODAY!
LOCAL EVENTS
MEMBER BENEFITS
STAY CONNECTED #ESCONDIDO
Facebook   Twitter   Instagram