Dominic’s detailed presentation showed Arcadia to be healthy, vibrant and well managed, something we can be proud of when some of the other cities locally and nationwide are challenged.
The City of Arcadia runs a budget of $50 million that has been conservatively managed during the recession so that reserves ($25 million) have not been tapped. There is some deferred spending needed for vehicle replacement, building refurbishment and road slurry and rebuild.
54 percent of city’s income is from taxes- sales tax (31%) and utility tax (21%) being the biggest contributors. Fines from traffic and other tickets do not make Arcadia rich – only 2% of the revenue is from fines.
Assessed value on Arcadia homes has steadily increased 6% from year to year. 52 cents per dollar collected of property taxes collected goes to education (including colleges) in California, 10 cents to Arcadia Schools.
Arcadia’s population has stayed level at 56,000 since 2000 while the services provided by the 298 city employees (staffed at 1980’s levels) have increased. 62% of our City expenses are for Fire (26%) and Police (36%). Employee pension reform will impact Arcadia in 20 years as today’s employees reach retirement ages further out with tighter benefits and making more of a contribution along the way than those retiring today.
Arcadia’s Police force has reduced its response time to 2minutes 36 seconds on average. (5 minutes or more is common for Sheriff policed areas). Violent crime is a third the national average, but property crime (including our mall) is slightly above average because we are an affluent area.
One new area the police have assigned an officer to is “maternity homes”. Pregnant overseas visitors stay to have their babies delivered here to gain U.S. citizenship. Dominic reported 18 homes have been identified for closure, 12 closed so far.
New projects related to Arcadia include: fixing the Santa Anita Dam that helps manage Arcadia’s water supply and keep the water rates low; the Gold Line station and bridges over Colorado and Huntington Drive; two 70,000 sq. ft medical buildings near the hospital and a mixed use building downtown Arcadia besides 24 hour fitness.
Dominic said “business is booming” in Arcadia.