The down economy is impacting Carlsbad's financial state, but the city will remain a great place to live and work as it tightens its finances to ensure continued fiscal stability.
That was the main message communicated to the 500 people who attended the annual State of the City Luncheon Aug. 21 at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara.
Hosted by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, the event featured an approximately 25-minute video that included interviews with Mayor Bud Lewis, the City Council, city staff members and residents. The mostly optimistic video praised the city's accomplishments over the past year, which include:
• The adoption of a city charter that could save Carlsbad substantial amounts of money.
• The opening of three hotels and a fire station.
• The Carlsbad Desalination Plant Project, which will produce up to 50 million gallons of drinking water a day.
• The opening of a Library Learning Center that offers tutoring, computer classes and Spanish language books.
The video also mentioned the council's decision to delay work on Alga Norte Park, which it will revisit once there is a better understanding of the state budget. The plans for the long-proposed park call for a swim complex, skateboard area, playing fields and dog park.
While the film included shots of home foreclosure signs and vacant commercial space, viewers were assured that the city doesn't anticipate staff layoffs or dramatically slashing its budget.
“Carlsbad is not going to be immune from the national economic downturn,” said Councilman Mark Packard.
However, the city expects that revenue will come in above expenses, and either way, Carlsbad has more than $40 million in reserve. Those who lead the city said they need to be prudent when it comes to spending.
The video urged residents to join volunteer programs to help reduce the city's cost to maintain public trails and other public facilities.
“Carlsbad is truly a wonderful place to live and it can only be that way because of you,” Lewis said at the film's conclusion.
Lewis spoke prior to the video, commending his council colleagues, city staff and the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. He presented the chamber with a proclamation in appreciation of its effort toward the successful passage of Proposition D, Carlsbad's Charter City Measure.
“The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce had a substantial impact on this endeavor and deserves special public recognition,” the proclamation states. “Two individuals of special note, Ted Owen, president and CEO, and Michael Babowal, director of government affairs, were instrumental in coordinating the chamber's campaign to support Prop. D and the city of Carlsbad wishes to extend its appreciation for their exemplary efforts.”
Lewis also used the moment to tell a joke regarding an Alaskan cruise he took with his wife last summer.
While doing laundry, Lewis talked with a man who said he was traveling with his brother, who lives in Carlsbad. Lewis explained to the man that he resides in Carlsbad and the man responded, “Then there must be three of you here, because my brother says there is a bald guy on board who looks like the mayor of Carlsbad.”
“So I took my hat off and introduced myself,” Lewis said, garnering laughs.
It turns out Lewis also has another identity. Peter MacLaggan, senior vice president of Poseidon Resources, the company building the desalination plant, introduced Lewis to the audience by saying, “(The approval of the desalination project) would not have been possible without the leadership of Bud 'build the damn thing' Lewis.”
The luncheon was presented by Poseidon Resources. Additional sponsors included Tri-City Medical Center, Westfield, the Four Seasons Resort Aviara and CDS Printing.
The State of the City video can be viewed online at www.carlsbadca.gov.
That was the main message communicated to the 500 people who attended the annual State of the City Luncheon Aug. 21 at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara.
Hosted by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, the event featured an approximately 25-minute video that included interviews with Mayor Bud Lewis, the City Council, city staff members and residents. The mostly optimistic video praised the city's accomplishments over the past year, which include:
• The adoption of a city charter that could save Carlsbad substantial amounts of money.
• The opening of three hotels and a fire station.
• The Carlsbad Desalination Plant Project, which will produce up to 50 million gallons of drinking water a day.
• The opening of a Library Learning Center that offers tutoring, computer classes and Spanish language books.
The video also mentioned the council's decision to delay work on Alga Norte Park, which it will revisit once there is a better understanding of the state budget. The plans for the long-proposed park call for a swim complex, skateboard area, playing fields and dog park.
While the film included shots of home foreclosure signs and vacant commercial space, viewers were assured that the city doesn't anticipate staff layoffs or dramatically slashing its budget.
“Carlsbad is not going to be immune from the national economic downturn,” said Councilman Mark Packard.
However, the city expects that revenue will come in above expenses, and either way, Carlsbad has more than $40 million in reserve. Those who lead the city said they need to be prudent when it comes to spending.
The video urged residents to join volunteer programs to help reduce the city's cost to maintain public trails and other public facilities.
“Carlsbad is truly a wonderful place to live and it can only be that way because of you,” Lewis said at the film's conclusion.
Lewis spoke prior to the video, commending his council colleagues, city staff and the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. He presented the chamber with a proclamation in appreciation of its effort toward the successful passage of Proposition D, Carlsbad's Charter City Measure.
“The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce had a substantial impact on this endeavor and deserves special public recognition,” the proclamation states. “Two individuals of special note, Ted Owen, president and CEO, and Michael Babowal, director of government affairs, were instrumental in coordinating the chamber's campaign to support Prop. D and the city of Carlsbad wishes to extend its appreciation for their exemplary efforts.”
Lewis also used the moment to tell a joke regarding an Alaskan cruise he took with his wife last summer.
While doing laundry, Lewis talked with a man who said he was traveling with his brother, who lives in Carlsbad. Lewis explained to the man that he resides in Carlsbad and the man responded, “Then there must be three of you here, because my brother says there is a bald guy on board who looks like the mayor of Carlsbad.”
“So I took my hat off and introduced myself,” Lewis said, garnering laughs.
It turns out Lewis also has another identity. Peter MacLaggan, senior vice president of Poseidon Resources, the company building the desalination plant, introduced Lewis to the audience by saying, “(The approval of the desalination project) would not have been possible without the leadership of Bud 'build the damn thing' Lewis.”
The luncheon was presented by Poseidon Resources. Additional sponsors included Tri-City Medical Center, Westfield, the Four Seasons Resort Aviara and CDS Printing.
The State of the City video can be viewed online at www.carlsbadca.gov.