UNANIMOUS ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL ACTS TO PLACE LOCAL FUNDING MEASURE ON THE BALLOT TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC SAFETY AND OTHER CITY SERVICES
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.
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About Arcadia
Nestled along the rolling foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and Angeles National Forest, Arcadia is a charming, family-oriented community with a population of just over 57,000. Located only 13 miles east from downtown Los
Angeles, regional transportation networks like the Metro Gold Line connect Arcadia as a premier residential, shopping, and entertainment destination in the San Gabriel Valley. Arcadia is known for its top-rated schools, iconic landmarks, and serene neighborhoods. Arcadia is an award-winning community having been twice named as the Best City in California in which to Raise Kids and the 2017 Most Business Friendly City in Los Angeles County. With the conveniences and amenities of a full-service, mid-size city, Arcadia’s “Community of Homes” provides a quality of life that will go Above & Beyond your expectations.
For more information, please visit ArcadiaCA.gov or follow us on Twitter by texting DISCOVER to 3322
