The Coast News INLAND EDITION
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VISTA, SAN MARCOS, ESCONDIDO
VOL. 7, N0. 16
AUG. 5, 2022
Escondido sales tax hike makes ballot
IF ART’S UP YOUR ALLEY...
Council compromises with ¾-cent measure By Samantha Nelson
ESCO ALLEY ART, an outdoor mural project off Grand Avenue in downtown Escondido, will unveil 15-plus new pieces — the fourth phase in a multiphase project — on Saturday, Aug. 13, at 5 p.m. in the alley south of Grand between Broadway and Kalmia. The event will feature live music and an opportunity to meet the artists. STORY ON PAGE 14. Courtesy photo
SMUSD expanding Fallen Vista firefighter honored TK starting this fall By Laura Place
SAN MARCOS — New state eligibility requirements will allow more children this fall to enter transitional kindergarten in the San Marcos Unified School District, which plans to steadily increase eligibility over the next three years to achieve the state’s goal of universal early education. While the district’s transitional kindergarten program was open only to children who turn age five by December 2, the age cutoff for this school year now extends to February 2. The eligibility window will gradually widen each year until fall 2025 when all four-year-olds can enroll in transitional kindergarten in San Marcos Unified. While some families may opt to keep their children in private preschools or at home until they are
ready for kindergarten, the state-mandated change offers a cost-free alternative for many families seeking free early childhood education. With this expanded eligibility, transitional kindergarten enrollment for the 2022-23 school year across the district’s 10 elementary and K-8 schools has increased from last year by around 30%, or 83 students, according to district spokeswoman Amy Ventetuolo. However, this number is subject to change until school begins in mid-August and sites see how many students attend. “We’re expecting a little bit of an increase, but who knows — with TK or K, we don’t really know for sure until the school year starts,” said Deputy Superintendent Tiffany CampTURN TO SMUSD ON 15
INSET: Andy Valenta, a Vista firefighter who died of cancer at age 33 in April 2021, has been added to the wall of fallen firefighters at the California Firefighters Memorial in Sacramento. LEFT: Capt. Miles Sweeney of the Vista Fire Department presents Valenta’s widow, Caylie, and two daughters with the flag from the July 30 ceremony. Also on hand were members of Vista Fire Fighters Local 4107. TOP: The limestone wall lists over 1,400 names of firefighters who have died in the line of duty since California became a state. Courtesy photos
ESCONDIDO — After years of discussion, voters will see a new ¾-cent sales tax measure on the November ballot. In late July, the City Council approved a ¾-cent sales tax ballot measure with the goal of using additional funds to maintain and improve public safety services throughout the city. It was the second attempt to get a tax measure on the ballot after a 2020 attempt failed. Staff had originally proposed a one-cent tax measure, which tested well among more than 1,000 voters in a survey conducted this year. Approximately 63% of respondents indicated they would favor a one-cent sales tax increase that would remain in effect until ended by voters. Through a compromise, the City Council passed by a 4-1 vote the ¾-cent sales tax measure to end in 15 years. To get the measure on the ballot, the council needed at least four votes. Councilmember Joe Garcia voted against the ballot measure. “After reviewing the staff report and all the materials with it, at this time I don't feel there are enough protections of the taxpayers here in Escondido to move forward with this,” Garcia said. City officials have debated a sales tax increase for some time in response to its budget woes. The city’s state-required public employee unfunded pension liability fund obligates Escondido to pay between $15 and $22 million annually until 2044. A ¾-cent sales tax increase would raise Escondido’s current sales tax rate of 7.75% to 8.5% and would generate approximately $21 million annually. At least 50% of that would be used to support police and fire; to maintain infrastructure, parks and buildings; and to address homelessness. The council also voted to add language to the ballot measure that would cite reducing TURN TO SALES TAX ON 6
