Current Budget Information

FY2025/26 Operating Budget

A public hearing for the adoption of the FY2025/26 operating budget was held at the City Council meeting on June 18, 2025.  A link to the final approved operating budget can be found here:

The FY2025/26 Preliminary Operating Budget was presented at the City Council Meeting on May 21, 2025.  A link to the preliminary budget document can be found here:

Three public workshops were presented by staff:

  • April 24 from 6 - 7 p.m at the East Valley Community Center - 2245 E. Valley Parkway
  • April 26 from 10 - 11 a.m. at the City Hall Mitchell Room - 201 N. Broadway
  • May 8 from 12 - 1 p.m. Virtually


Overview

Preliminary budget information is brought to a City Council meeting for discussion in April/May. Then, final budget information is presented to City Council at a Public Hearing in June for adoption.

2024/25 Budget Documents

The Final Fiscal Year 2024/25 Operating Budget was adopted by the City Council on June 19, 2024:

Community Budget Presentations

Three public workshops were presented by staff:

  • Saturday, April 15, City Hall Mitchell Room, 10 to 11 am.
  • Thursday, May 2, EVCC Vineyard Room, 6 to 7 pm.
  • Friday, May 3, Virtual Community Alliance for Escondido (CAFÉ), 8 to 9:30 am.
  • View the presentation (PDF) here.  

About the City's Budget

The City of Escondido adopts its budget each June for the following fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. The budget, while a financial document, is also an important policy document, outlining the City Council's priorities for the upcoming year and showing where the City's funds will be allocated.

The Operating Budget projects short-term revenue and expenditures related to providing day-to-day services. A separate Capital Improvement Project Budget projects long-term revenue and expenditures for major projects such as roads, park improvements, and pipelines.

The budget process begins around December each year; the City Manager and Finance staff meet to develop the assumptions, guidelines, and schedules to be used in the preparation of the operating budget. The Finance Department provides a budget newsletter to each department, which includes information such as:

  • The City's current fiscal situation: Current revenue constraints and economic or community conditions
  • Council priorities for the upcoming year
  • Changes affecting the cost of employee wages and benefits
  • Instructions and due dates for completing budget submissions

The City's operating budget provides a plan for how the monies coming into the City (revenues) will be spent in order to operate and maintain City functions and services, such as police, fire, parks, and libraries.

The General Fund is the chief operating fund of the City and accounts for all financial resources except those required to be accounted for in another fund. The City spends 76% of its General Fund departmental budget on public safety, and the remaining on services such as parks, libraries, public works, and general government services. City services require people to provide them, and as a result 85% of the City's costs are personnel costs.

Core City services funded through the General Fund's budget are supported by a variety of revenue sources. The four major General Fund revenues are sales tax, property tax, and other taxes which includes transient occupancy tax, business license tax, and franchise fees. Combined these revenues account for 81% of the General Fund's revenue.

Budget Cycle Infographic


Budget Chart