Arcadians: "No" on Measure A, the repeal of Utility Users Tax (UUT) by Joan Schmidt. The utility tax is 12.5% of the city's $54.9 billion General Fund.
Measure A appears to be failing, newcomers likely to join council. Voters on Tuesday shot down Measure A (repeal of Utility Users Tax) and appear to be electing Peter Amundson and April Verlato for Arcadia City Council. Measure A did not pass. 64 percent of votes were cast against the measure, which needed a simple majority to pass. Amundson and Verlato will be sworn in April 26.
Measure A makes waves. The debate on repealing the Utility User's Tax (UUT) is coming to a head. Measure A is opposed by City of Arcadia workers. It is supported by Larry Papp and California Tax Limitation Committee, backed by TeaPAC, part of the Tea Party's Tax Revolt. See hard copy in VF Arcadia-City Council-Elections-2016.
Guns and hoses: local firefighters speak out on first responders and the Utility Users Tax (UUT) aka Measure A. The repeal of the UUT would result in dramatic loss of service in fire and police departments. Photo includes Brian Ursettie, Nick Wiegand, Chen Suen, Jeremy Conrad, Thomas Devlin, Kevin Valentine.
Measure A seeks to repeal utility users tax in Arcadia, on the April 12 ballot. The utility users tax is a source of revenue expected to generate $7 million for the city this year. Arcadia charges residents 7% for gas, water, and electricity, and 5% for telephone on utility bills. The city estimates each household pays less than $10 per person per month on average. The tax is 12.5% of the city's $54.9 million general fund budget. If repealed, it would mean a 12.5% cut to city services, including cutting 12 police officers, closing a fire department, increasing blight, street sweeping would be reduced from weekly to every other week. Programs for children and seniors would be eliminated and library and museum hours would be reduced significantly. Larry Papp helped author the initiative.
Karen Gutierrez-McNair named new CEO of Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, effective February 29. She is executive director of Santa Anita Family YMCA in Monrovia. She replaces Chamber CEO Scott Hettrick, who has resigned to move to Nebraska.
Arcadia's election picks up steam. At last Wednesday's candidate forum, Measure A, which could repeal the Utility Users Tax (UUT) and the Saving Arcadia Ballot Initiative (rational development standards on new construction), dominated the questions from the audience at Arcadia Public Library. Includes photos and statements from each candidate.
Six candidates vying for two seats on Arcadia City Council in the April 12 all-mail-in ballot. Current Mayor Gary Kovacic is terming out this year and Councilman Mickey Segal is not seeking re-election. Among those running are three former city councilman-- Peter Amundson, Bob Harbicht, and Sheng Chang. Also running are Burton L. Brink, Paul Van Fleet, April Verlato, an attorney and community activist. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 15, January 28, 2016.
Anti-mansionization goes to the ballot. Zoning code issue continues as anti-mansionization group Saving Arcadia (an outgrowth of Save the Arcadia Highlands) takes it to the ballot in April 2018. At issue are Floor Area Ratios (FAR). See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 17, April 7, 2016-initiative did not make it onto ballot because of signature discrepancy.
Ballot measure aims to repeal Arcadia's utility tax. The current tax adds 7% to bills for water, electricity and natural gas and 5% for telecommunications for both residential and commercial customers. If approved, city services will be downgraded significantly. It would eliminate 12.5% of Arcadia's budget.
Are April Verlato and Peter Amundson the new City Council? Election totals could change after 1300 more votes are counted. The late and provisional votes will be counted at Arcadia City Hall today.
Arcadia city council election results undecided after city receives 999 more ballots yesterday. The second and final count will be completed on April 21. Tentative results had Peter Amundson and April Verlato in the lead, but Bob Harbicht is trailing not far behind. There were 2 seats to be filled.
Arcadia City Council recap: crime is rising in Arcadia and countrywide, with offenses predominantly concentrated in property crime. Council approves home designs at 29 East Orange Grove and 1600 Highland Oaks Drive now that their square footage will be reduced in revised designs. Council also unanimously authorized the $2 million purchase of 3000 acre feet of imported replacement water from Main San Gabriel Basin watermaster for the fiscal year 2015-2016.
Arcadia okays all mail-in ballot for this spring's election. This marks Arcadia's third consecutive all mail-in election since adopting a 2011 ordinance that granted City Council authority to eliminate traditional polling in advance of a general municipal election. The mail-in election costs $115,000, the traditional one about 10% more.
Anti-mansionization candidates snag seats on Arcadia City Council. Peter Amundson received 4122 votes and April Verlato received 4077 votes to become the two new city council members. Bob Harbicht received the third highest number of votes.
PAC contributes heavily to Bob Harbicht's campaign coffers: Nevis Capital, LLC named. Developer Jeff Lee says there is discrimination in Arcadia over his Highlands property and potential development.