The Coast News
VISTA, SAN MARCOS, ESCONDIDO
VOL. 11, N0. 3
Feb. 2, 2024
Esco sees new sales tax push 1st responders lead group seeking vote on 1% bump By Samantha Nelson
LADIES
OF THE
RINGS
CIRCUS VARGAS returns to North County, with shows through Feb. 19 at Escondido’s North County Mall. More at circusvargas.com. Courtesy photo
Vista state of city focuses on homelessness By Laura Place
VISTA — After making substantial progress in addressing homelessness on multiple fronts in 2023, Vista leaders say they are ready to realize real solutions to get folks off the streets in the year ahead. The topic of homelessness programs took center stage during the city’s State of the Community event on Jan. 22., in which leaders spoke about accomplishments from the past year and what residents can expect to come.
In addition to a strong financial situation boosted by cannabis revenues, new leadership in multiple city departments, and decreased crime rates, Vista Mayor John Franklin said the highlights of FRANKLIN the past year included the creation of the city’s safe parking program and an agreement to open a non-congregate shelter in
collaboration with the city of Encinitas. “There’s no question; homelessness has been the number one issue on the minds of residents of the larger Vista community. We are all passing residents living unsheltered on the streets, or maybe off the streets, and it’s never far from our minds,” Franklin said. He said the city’s Safe Parking Program, which opened in September at the Vista Civic Center, is already seeing positive
outcomes. Jewish Family Services of San Diego, a nonprofit organization that oversees five other safe parking programs throughout the county, manages the location where up to 25 people who live in their cars can park safely each night. Participants are also offered case management and other services to ultimately get people into permanent supportive housing. Franklin said five individuals have entered housing TURN TO VISTA ON 11
Billboard ties legislator to Jan. 6 felon Laura Davies, who represents Vista in the Assembly, rejects claims by her Democratic challenger. 7
ESCONDIDO — More than a year after voters denied a ¾-cent sales tax increase put forward by the city in 2022, a coalition of police, firefighters, city employees, and local business owners is working to put forward a 1 percent sales tax increase proposal to voters. The Escondido Citizens for Safety, which includes the Escondido Police Officers Association, the Escondido Firefighters Association, and Teamsters Local 911, is seeking to qualify the initiative for the November 2024 ballot. The Escondido Community Investment Initiative is led by former deputy fire chief J. Neil Hobbs, Deanna Smith, board chair of the Escondido Chamber of Commerce and owner of Deanna’s Gluten Free Bakery, and Rich Aeling, owner of Aelott Air Conditioning and member of various local civic and charitable organizations. According to proponents, the city’s financial problems and lack of revenue necessitate a sales tax increase of one cent on the dollar. “The City of Escondido is facing a financial crisis,” the group said. “Revenue has been unable to keep pace with the growing costs of providing services. Escondido is managing decline instead of charting a path to prosperity.” The city expects a $10 million average operating budget deficit over the next five years and an $18 million average deficit over the next 20 years. After closing a $11.3 million budget shortfall earlier this year, staff warned the Escondido City TURN TO SALES TAX ON 5