The Arcadia city budget of $35.8 million for the 2003-2004 fiscal year was unveiled and will be the subject of a public hearing June 14. City Manager Bill Kelly called the spending program "flat line," with only 1.5 new city jobs in the coming year. Kelly said Arcadia is protected from possible cuts to meet state budget uncertainties because of $6 million in reserves, which were earmarked but never spent in a previous budget. The city is safe for at least the next two budget years.
City Manager Bill Kelly presented a "flat line budget" to the city council. Kelly said current uncertainties in state funding will not be resolved until after the election. The city will revisit the budget at midyear.
Arcadia City Manager Bill Kelly is skeptical about the way the State of California balanced this year's budget. The State promises to pay cities back for sales tax to be used to pay off $10.7 billion in loans. The maneuver, known as the "triple flip" will take half of the cities' sales tax revenue for the next five years, and pay it back out of property taxes now earmarked for schools. Arcadia will lose 25% of its vehicle license fee reimbursement, around $750,000. Arcadia is in good shape this year and next, primarily because of a healthy reserve fund. After 2004-2005, unless some solutions are in place, the city could face some hard times.
Arcadia officials project a $1.2 million budget deficit and have approved a combination of using reserve funds, hiring freezes, and other budget mechanisms to offset it. In order to avoid deep cuts in city services, the City Council has approved a plan to defer the city's slurry sealing program (street surface maintenance) for one year.
City Manager Bill Kelly outlined his proposed budget for the 2003-2004 fiscal year which begins July 1. The Arcadia City Council will hold a public hearing and is scheduled to adopt it at its June 17 meeting.
The House of Representatives passed a final appropriation bill for this fiscal year to fund a $300,000 fire training facility at the Angeles National Forest property in Arcadia and $12.35 million for water infrastructure in Arcadia and Sierra Madre.
The House of Representatives passed a final appropriation bill for this fiscal year to fund a $300,000 fire training facility at the Angeles National Forest property in Arcadia and $12.35 million for water infrastructure in Arcadia and Sierra Madre.
Since state lawmakers have reached a budget deal. West San Gabriel Valley cities will receive monies to be used for road repairs and transit improvements. Arcadia will receive $237,931 in 2005-2006. In the past two years, these funds were withheld by the state to cover budget shortfalls.
Arcadia City Council introduces an ordinance to collect DIVCA fees. DIVCA stands for Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act. City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto said this ordinance will update things to ensure that as state franchises get renewed, that our local fees continue to be paid.
Arcadia City Council approves $55.7 million General Fund budget for fiscal year 2015-2016. Officials anticipate revenue totaling $59.7 million, enabling $4.5 million in funds transfers toward road and park improvements, staff equipment upgrades, a boost to the general liability and workers' compensation fund, establishing a reserve fund for building a new City Hall and nearly $500,000 in new programs and employees.
City staff projects a $3.5 million deficit in the 2010-2011 fiscal year, due in large part to rising retirement costs. City Manager Bill Kelly told City Council that even with the Caruso mall, expansion at Westfield Shoppingtown and at Rusnak auto dealership, the city still faces a budget shortfall in about 5 years. He suggested a library assessment district as a potential revenue source.
Survival-of-the fittest strategies have swept City Hall, where employees fearful of looming budget cuts are waging campaigns against their colleagues and other departments in an effort to protect their jobs.