FY 2018-2019 Began with a $3.1 Million deficit. Projections confirmed by a Citizen Financial Advisory Committee show the city’s deficit climbing to $8 Million in 5 years; Largely due to peaking Public Employee Retirement Costs.
March 5, 2019 – The Arcadia City Council unanimously placed the Arcadia Public Safety, City Services and Accountability Measure on the June 2019 ballot to maintain public safety and other local services.
“City staff and the Citizen’s Financial Advisory Committee have indicated we have a multi-million dollar structural deficit,” said City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto. “As police and fire are 60% of the City’s General Fund budget, we have acted to give Arcadia voters the option of generating more locally-controlled tax revenue to maintain public safety and other City services at current levels.”
“With changes in state law allowing for the early release of prisoners and shortening sentences, Arcadia residents have expressed the importance of maintaining police protection and the number of Arcadia officers at current levels,” said Arcadia Police Chief Robert Guthrie. “The City currently has five fewer police officers than it did in 2008. Unless more revenue is generated, as many as 13 police officer positions could be cut, affecting police patrols and response times.”
“Cleaning and maintaining City neighborhoods, streets, parks, and other public facilities is important to the community,” said Public Works Services Director Tom Tait. “Maintaining the City’s infrastructure is part of what makes the quality of life in Arcadia better than surrounding communities.” Additionally, the City had previously indicated that without additional local funding, as many as ten firefighter/paramedic positions and fire coverage in North Arcadia could be affected.
For more information about the Arcadia Public Safety, City Services and Accountability Measure, please contact the City Manager’s Office at 574-5401.