The City of Carlsbad has a AAA credit rating and is widely acknowledged for its financial stability and responsible management of resources. The city's Finance Division works to ensure the city's excellent financial health through long range financial planning and budget management, general accounting and reporting, assessment district administration and purchasing.

 

Finance news


Archived News
  • 2024-25 Budget cover thumbnail

    Balanced budget adopted

    The Carlsbad City Council approved a balanced budget Tuesday and will begin the new fiscal year July 1 with healthy revenues, increased cash reserves and among the lowest pension debts in the region. The fiscal year 2024-25 city budget also sets aside money for future infrastructure investments.

    06/19/2024 9:12 AM

  • City Hall exterior with seal

    Carlsbad projects balanced budget

    Thanks to healthy revenues, reduced spending, and new budget policies and practices over the past several years, the City of Carlsbad is projecting a balanced budget through fiscal year 2030, increased cash reserves and among the lowest pension debts in the region. The city released its preliminary

    05/16/2024

  • 2024-25 Budget cover thumbnail

    Community budget workshop

    Carlsbad residents interested in finding out about the city’s proposed budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 can come to a special community budget workshop where city staff will be on hand to answer questions and take community feedback.

    05/09/2024 11:33 AM

  • Faraday newsroom 2

    Economic, financial report presented

    Halfway through the fiscal year, city revenues are up 8% over this time last year, and the latest numbers show Carlsbad’s gross regional project remains the second highest in the region. Even so, the local economy continues to send mixed messages as experts try to predict what the post-pandemic “new

    02/28/2024

  • City Hall seal

    City receives national award for budget presentation

    The City of Carlsbad has once again been honored with a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, recognizing the city’s commitment to meeting the highest standards of governmental budgeting.

    01/24/2024

  • City Hall exterior

    Annual financial report

    The city budget details where the money comes from to fund city services and the spending plan for that money in the year ahead.

    12/15/2023

  • City Hall exterior

    No hotel tax increase

    The City Council decided Tuesday not to move forward with putting a measure on the ballot for a potential increase in the tax visitors pay when they stay at local hotels and short-term vacation rentals. In April, the City Council requested information about a potential ballot measure to increase the

    10/26/2023

  • Newsroom - 2023-07-26T144043.677

    Surplus invested for financial health

    On Tuesday, the City Council approved investing unspent money from last year’s budget to reduce future pension payments, replenish self-insurance funds, and pay for public safety equipment, additional school crossing guards, trails maintenance, art programs and other one-time costs not included in t

    09/28/2023

  • Newsroom - 2023-05-18T163941.013

    FY 2023-24 Budget Adopted

    At its meeting on June 13, the Carlsbad City Council adopted a balanced budget for fiscal year 2023-2024, which spans from July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024.

    06/14/2023 9:32 AM

  • Faraday newsroom 2

    Budget workshop 6/1

    Carlsbad community members interested in knowing more about the city’s budget and what is proposed for the fiscal year that starts July 1 have two upcoming opportunities:

    05/18/2023

  • Newsroom - 2023-05-18T163941.013

    Review draft city budget

    The City of Carlsbad’s proposed budget for next fiscal year invests in the City Council’s highest priorities, sets money aside for future infrastructure needs and grows the city’s cash reserves, while

    05/18/2023

  • Faraday newsroom 2

    Securing Carlsbad's long term financial health

    We shared an update on our long-term projected revenues and expenses with the City Council.

    04/12/2023 6:31 PM

  • City Hall exterior

    City budget receives award of excellence

    The City of Carlsbad has received the Operating Budget Excellence Award from the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers for its Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Operating Budget.

    03/06/2023

  • City Hall exterior

    Carlsbad wins national award for budget presentation

    The City of Carlsbad has once again been honored with a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, recognizing the city’s commitment to meeting the highest standards of governmental budgeting.

    12/21/2022

  • Faraday newsroom 2

    City financial update presented

    The City of Carlsbad’s main sources of income are up an average of 10% for the first quarter of the fiscal year, thanks to a continuing economic rebound following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. However, city finance staff caution that high inflation, upcoming pension costs and the possibility

    11/16/2022