CARLSBAD — Priya Bhat-Patel will reprise her role as Carlsbad mayor pro tem, as most City Council assignments remained unchanged from 2025 to 2026.
The only change to council assignments approved at the Jan. 13 meeting involved the Economic Development Subcommittee.
Mayor Keith Blackburn turned his spot on the subcommittee over to Council Member Kevin Shin after Shin expressed interest in contributing to those discussions. He joins Bhat-Patel as the council’s representative on the subcommittee.
Bhat-Patel and Blackburn will serve on the Carlsbad Municipal Water District Board of Directors, as is customary for the mayor and mayor pro tem, according to city documents. A full list of regional committee and subcommittee assignments is available on the city’s website.
At the Jan. 13 meeting, Blackburn nominated Susan Poser to represent District 3 on the Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Citizens’ Advisory Committee. The nomination was unanimously approved by the council.
The committee, established in 2005, reviews and makes recommendations to the City Council on fees associated with converting agricultural land to urban uses, according to city documents. It has seven members.
In her application, Poser wrote that since retiring from a career in finance and accounting, she had become “interested in getting involved in my community.”
“I’m very interested in maintaining the beautiful city of Carlsbad and I believe participating in the Agricultural Mitigation Fee Committee would allow me to have a voice in allocating of funds for conservation, recreation and environmental goals,” she wrote.
Blackburn also nominated Jan Neff-Sinclair of District 1 to serve as an at-large member of the Housing Commission. The appointment — which was unanimously approved by the council — fills an unexpected vacancy and carries a term ending in July 2027, according to city documents.
Councilmember Teresa Acosta, who represents District 4, said her district was not represented on what she described as “such an important commission.”
Acosta encouraged residents of her district to apply so that voices from throughout the city are represented.
“We can’t appoint you if you don’t apply,” she said.
Blackburn said Neff-Sinclair stood out for several reasons, including her preparation and work on the city’s Growth Management Plan Update Advisory Committee. He added that she will bring specific experience to the Housing Commission.
Blackburn said Neff-Sinclair had experienced homelessness and granted him permission to share that information.
“I think that adds a new, maybe a different spin on things with our commission, and I think it would be a positive addition,” he said.