Encinitas will add a lifeguard sergeant for its beaches, an urban forester and two other positions after the City Council adopted a $149.2 million budget in June for fiscal year 2026-27, which took effect Wednesday, July 1.
The City Council unanimously approved the budget June 17, adopting a plan that staff members characterized as structurally balanced while adding the four full-time positions.
The budget projects $158.5 million in citywide operating revenue and $149.2 million in operating expenses, a difference of about $9.3 million before debt service, capital projects and fund transfers, according to city documents. Staff members reported to the council that the spending plan was balanced because recurring revenue would exceed recurring expenditures, it did not rely on one-time revenue or reserves for ongoing operations, and required reserves would remain fully funded.
The General Fund, which supports core municipal services, is budgeted to receive $121.7 million in revenue and spend $113.1 million on operations. It also includes about $5 million for debt service and $7.9 million for capital and work projects. The city projects an unassigned General Fund balance of roughly $744,000 at the end of the fiscal year.
The budget adds one full-time code enforcement officer, a facilities maintenance specialist, urban forester and lifeguard sergeant, increasing the city’s workforce by four full-time-equivalent positions to nearly 255, excluding San Dieguito Water District personnel.
The code enforcement officer is assigned to Development Services, while the facilities specialist and urban forester are assigned to Public Works. The budget also includes three vehicles tied to those positions: two SUVs for the code enforcement officer and urban forester, and a light-duty pickup for the facilities maintenance specialist. The lifeguard sergeant position does not require an additional vehicle.
Personnel costs are budgeted at $62.4 million, up $5.8 million, or 10.4%, from the current revised budget. The increase includes labor agreements, pension obligations, scheduled advancements and reclassifications, as well as the four added positions.
The council also approved a $33,000 increase for enhanced economic development services and adopted the city’s appropriations limit and annual position titles and pay ranges.
This report was partially written using artificial intelligence, then updated, edited and fact-checked against source material by North Coast Current staff. View our AI policy on the About Us page, and read more in a column by our publisher.
