San Marcos · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Marcos public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
CDBG Annual Performance Report (CAPER)
The city's federal community development grant year delivered: $1.74 million spent, Richmar Park upgraded with a mini-pitch soccer facility and shade, 12,000+ senior meals, and housing and fair-housing services that exceeded goals.
Annual Assessment District Levies
Three development sites — AOA West (Paloma), Restaurant Row, and the Sierra site — were annexed into a new improvement area of the citywide lighting/landscaping/preserve district. Landowners in a special election unanimously approved the special tax, and future projects can now join the same district over time instead of running their own separate processes.
2026 Fee Increases
Development impact fees rise 2.7% and user fees 3.2% to keep pace with inflation — for example, single-family impact fees go from $6.70 to $6.88 per square foot. The city says it's just covering costs, not profiting.
Mobile home park rent review
A rent review petition for Springdale Estates will get a hearing before the city's Mobilehome Rent Review Commission on March 10. Residents like John Mosher are also pushing statewide (SB 722) to shield mobilehome parks from SB 79 development pressure.
Mid-year budget adjustments and compensation schedule
The council approved mid-year tweaks to the FY 2025-26 budget and updated the city's pay and classification schedule for staff.
Measure Q Spending and Oversight
The city wants residents to see where their Measure Q tax dollars go — a new community sign program for projects and an updated Measure Q website with project profiles.
FY 2026-27 City Budget Adoption
The council adopted a structurally balanced operating budget and five-year capital plan. General fund revenue is projected at just over $104 million, with more than half going to fire and law enforcement. Residents will see continued road resurfacing, park maintenance, and Fire Station 5 moving forward.
SB 707 Brown Act meeting updates
New state law requires councils to allow two-way remote public participation by video starting July 1 — an estimated $25,000 unfunded tech upgrade for the city, plus new disruption and outreach policies.
Springdale Estates rent increase
The mobilehome park owner is seeking a rent increase of roughly $35 a month, about 5.5% on average versus a 4% CPI change. Residents say years of compounding increases have hit seniors hard and the park has deferred maintenance. The city's rent review process kicks in with a June 9 hearing.
CDBG Funding for Housing, Parks, and Senior Center
San Marcos will get about $1.18 million in federal Community Development Block Grant money for 2026-27, funding senior meals and transportation, emergency rental assistance, home repairs for low-income homeowners, and neighborhood improvements. Money becomes available July 1 and councilmembers stressed getting the word out to residents who need it.
City Council Goal Setting
The Council met to set its priorities for the coming term. The goals chosen will guide future budget and policy decisions in San Marcos.
Villa Civil engineering contract increases
The city added $200,000 to its on-call engineering contract with Villa Civil (now $549,700) and amended a second contract for the Creek Infrastructure Project.