California taxable sales topped all records in the 2nd quarter of 1978, totaling $28.4 billion. Arcadia taxable sales were: retail transactions $59,331,000; total: $67,076,000.
The Arcadia Tax Reform Committee has officially been formed and will petition the City Council to rescind the new sewer and street-sweeping levies and the increase of the utility tax from 5% to 7%.
Tax rates are being increased in the city's five lighting districts. Article discusses status of other tax rates and notes an increase of 9.2% in the total assessed valuation of all properties in Arcadia.
For the fourth year Arcadia property tax rate has been set at $.94 per $100.00 assessed valuation. This is the lowest it has been since 1914 when it was $.60 The highest rate was $1.98 in 1945.
Santa Anita Park pays 38.5% of the overall tax revenue of the City of Arcadia. It pays the usual taxes plus a unique admission tax. Article outlines a history of the tax and the projects it has helped finance.
As far as the School District is concerned, the 39.99% reassessment of property due this November for Arcadia won't add much to school funds because when a district's own income goes up, state aid goes down.
Herb Fletcher asked the Arcadia City Council to file a class action suit against the county on behalf of city property owners. City Attorney Liberto gave an opinion that there is no legal authority for the city to bring such a suit.
The Arcadia Tax Reform Committee will present signed petitions to the City Council re requested repeal of 3 ordinances levying assessments on street sweeping and sewer service, and an increase in the utility users' tax from 5% to 7%.
City Council has renewed an examination of the admission tax Santa Anita pays compared to other race tracks. The track provided 34.1% of the city's total annual revenues in the fiscal year 1980-81. Traffic control costs in Arcadia are higher than in other cities with race tracks.