More than 500 attend sold-out State of the City luncheon
"Carlsbad is a world-class city," Mayor Matt Hall proclaimed at the State of the City Luncheon, presented by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce on Friday, Aug. 23 at the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa.
Hall, in his third year presiding over the annual event, offered more than enough proof of that as he spoke to the sold-out crowd of 500, which featured business and community leaders.
During his speech, Hall presented figures that demonstrate how Carlsbad has managed to grow, even through the tough times of recent years.
For example: Property taxes went from $48 million in '08-'09 to $52 million today. The price of homes in Carlsbad has gone from $515,000 18 months ago to $630,000 today. Carlsbad brought in $22 million in sales taxes five years ago, and today it's bringing in $29 million.
The City "managed through the difficult times," cutting its work force by 50 members while still keeping parks and libraries open seven days a week and city employees working full 40-hour weeks, Hall said.
The Mayor also tipped his hat to the business community, noting that Carlsbad businesses increased hiring, going from 43,000 jobs in 2009 to 47,000 today, a 7.6 percent increase. The City issued 8,700 business licences in '09-'10 and 9,000 in this year. Though it only issued 1,500 building permits this year, those permits were for work that was worth $173 million, more than the 2,050 building permits the city issued five years ago, which were worth $104 million.
"We still continue to grow," Hall said.
The mayor also noted the accomplishments of several Chamber members, including Datron World Communications, California Pacific Airlines, LEGOLAND California Resort, Life Technologies Corp., ViaSat and 5D Robotics.
Also at the State of the City Luncheon, the chamber bestowed the Trendsetting Leadership Award to Mayor Hall and the Carlsbad City Council, honoring the "pay for performance" provision that the city negotiated with the Carlsbad City Employees' Association.
It was one of several awards presented at the event.
"Carlsbad is a world-class city," Mayor Matt Hall proclaimed at the State of the City Luncheon, presented by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce on Friday, Aug. 23 at the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa.
Hall, in his third year presiding over the annual event, offered more than enough proof of that as he spoke to the sold-out crowd of 500, which featured business and community leaders.
During his speech, Hall presented figures that demonstrate how Carlsbad has managed to grow, even through the tough times of recent years.
For example: Property taxes went from $48 million in '08-'09 to $52 million today. The price of homes in Carlsbad has gone from $515,000 18 months ago to $630,000 today. Carlsbad brought in $22 million in sales taxes five years ago, and today it's bringing in $29 million.
The City "managed through the difficult times," cutting its work force by 50 members while still keeping parks and libraries open seven days a week and city employees working full 40-hour weeks, Hall said.
The Mayor also tipped his hat to the business community, noting that Carlsbad businesses increased hiring, going from 43,000 jobs in 2009 to 47,000 today, a 7.6 percent increase. The City issued 8,700 business licences in '09-'10 and 9,000 in this year. Though it only issued 1,500 building permits this year, those permits were for work that was worth $173 million, more than the 2,050 building permits the city issued five years ago, which were worth $104 million.
"We still continue to grow," Hall said.
The mayor also noted the accomplishments of several Chamber members, including Datron World Communications, California Pacific Airlines, LEGOLAND California Resort, Life Technologies Corp., ViaSat and 5D Robotics.
Also at the State of the City Luncheon, the chamber bestowed the Trendsetting Leadership Award to Mayor Hall and the Carlsbad City Council, honoring the "pay for performance" provision that the city negotiated with the Carlsbad City Employees' Association.
It was one of several awards presented at the event.