Esco candidates lay out positions for City Council
Five candidates running for two seats as they participate in forum discussing the budget deficit, sales tax measure, Center for the Arts contract and more
Note: To view the entire forum, visit the Escondido Times-Advocate YouTube page.
ESCONDIDO — Five City Council candidates took the stage to present their visions and address several pressing issues facing the city during Thursday’s candidate’s forum at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.
The two-hour event, which was moderated and hosted by the Escondido Chamber of Commerce and Escondido Times-Advocate, highlighted several major issues such as the city’s budget deficit, Measure I, battery storage facilities, the CCA’s contract, crime, economic development and homelessness, to name a few.
The City Council races feature Christian Garcia, who was appointed to the council in 2023, and challengers Veronica Cigarroa and Christine Spencer in District 3 and Judy Fitzgerald and Roderick Howell in District 4. Fitzgerald and Howell are running for Councilman Mike Morasco’s seat as he is retiring.
Measure I
Howell all the candidates are in support of Measure I, the one-cent sales tax increase put on the ballot by the City Council to address the $11.3 million budget deficit. The tax measure is estimated to bring an estimated $25 million in revenue per year to the city.
Although he hasn’t been politically active, Howell said during his 27 years living in the city, not much has changed, which appears to be why the budget has cratered. He said the tax is a stopgap but is not the final solution to the city’s revenue needs and questioned whether a backup plan is in place in case the measure fails.
Fitzgerald said should she be elected, is to ensure the oversight committee is qualified and essential services are taken care of first. She said another tactic is for the city to increase its economic development to attract businesses and housing to generate more tax revenue as Measure I has a sunset clause.
Garcia said it’s a tool to fix the city’s budget, and his experience with budget deficits on the Palomar College board has given him the skills to navigate those waters. In addition, Garcia said selecting the right people for the oversight committee is critical to ensure the money is being spent diligently.
Cigarro said while she doesn’t like to pay extra taxes, it’s important to remember who is elected to the council as those leaders will drive who is on the oversight committee. She also slammed the council for giving itself a pay raise while in a budget deficit, noting she will put the city’s interests first.
“It’s really unfortunate that we are where we are and I know what’s at stake if this doesn’t pass,” Cigarro said. “Leadership on the council will have a say as to who is going to be part of that oversight committee. Think about who’s making these decisions.”
Spencer said she also supports the tax measure and other cities, and the county have adopted sales taxes to increase their revenue. She said the county has its own one-half-cent tax measure (Measure G for transportation), but it’s important for Escondido to pass their to ensure core services can be funded.
Battery storage
Garcia said the council recently passed a resolution to oppose battery energy storage systems (BESS) not because of opposition to their utility, but rather to protect residents and homes. He sits on the Clean Energy Alliance board and said he supports batteries, but the main issue was the location of the proposed AES facility adjacent to homes and near Palomar Medical Center in Eden Valley, which is in unincorporated San Diego County.
“I support clean energy, but this was not the right place,” Garcia added. “We need to make sure it’s in the right location and with the right type of technology.”
Fitzgerald said she spoke with San Diego Gas & Electric executives who agreed the location was not the right fit. She said she’s not willing to jeopardize anyone’s health and the moratorium gives the city time to plan accordingly.
Howell said batteries are a new technology and it was wise to take a pause. He said the issue needs a regional or multi-level government approach to determine sites and deployment. Howell also said he feels Escondido is looked at as a “dumping ground” in some ways and why other cities aren’t taking on such risks.
Spencer said she is not a fan of BESS but praised SDG&E for its reaction to the fire. She questioned why the city allowed a BESS in the heart of the city and the fire brought to light as to the dangers and why such facilities are installed in populated areas. Spencer said other areas must be explored and she is unwilling to put the property, health and safety of residents in jeopardy.
Cigarro said while there are pros to BESS, she wants to do more research and if elected, wants to be on the CEA board to learn more about batteries. She said creating a dialogue with residents is also prudent and will help the process in the future.
Center for the Arts
The California Center for the Arts, Escondido has been a hot topic for years as revenue is dwindling and costs piling up. The center was completed in 1994 for $81 million, although the average five-year annual subsidy from the city to operate the facility is about $4.6 million, The Coast News reported in May.
Included in the subsidy is $660,000 to the California Center for the Arts, Escondido Foundation for operations and management. The current contract expired on June 30 and the city released a request for proposal for other operators, including the CCAEF, to submit bids.
Since the city’s budget deficit has become a roadblock, negotiations will also include who is responsible for about $5.8 million in modernization projects.
Spencer said she understands it’s difficult for the city finance the improvements, but the center is a beacon for the city and the new leadership, especially Chief Financial Officer Gina Lopez, needs more time to address the financial difficulties. She also worried about residents losing out on the ability to have affordable access to the center if a new operator is brought in.
Cigarro also praised the CCAEF leadership and how Lopez has kept the center “for the community” and that’s how it should remain. She said the events have a pulse on the city, the center keeps prices reasonable, and, like Spencer, a new operator could raise prices.
Garcia said while he voted for the RFP, he said it was necessary to ensure the center remains a viable entity for the city. He said he supports the current leadership, but the growing financial challenges must be addressed responsibly; although he is confident the current leadership will make a competitive offer and hopes they continue to run the center.
Fitzgerald said the arts is a big part of the city’s culture and the center was able to rely on money from the American Rescue Plan Act to stay open, but those funds are ending. She said if Measure I is approved essential services are the priority, while funds may be able to help resuscitate the center.
“If it’s something on a temporary basis, it might have to go out to the RFP until we get it back,” Fitzgerald added. “We have to find solutions and I will do whatever I can to bring people and funding to the arts.”
Howell, meanwhile, said it’s the centerpiece of downtown and warned against the RFP, citing his experience as a Department of Defense contracting officer. He said an operator will pounce if they see the opportunity to make a profit and leave the city with little. Howell said the center is profitable and the only reason for the RFP is to address maintenance and upgrades.
The RFP closes on Nov. 1, according to the city.
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