City Budget

Overview of the Arcadia Budget:

The City of Arcadia is a charter city operating under the Council-Manager form of government.  Our fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.  This system of municipal management combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a City Council, with the strong managerial expertise of an appointed City Manager.

Taking into careful consideration the City's fiscal condition and the goals and objectives of the City Council, the City Manager works with all departments to evaluate services and programs and prepare a balanced budget for the City Council's consideration.  A balanced budget must be adopted by June 30th, the last day before the start of a new fiscal year.

After resources have been allocated in the budget, money is organized into the following funds:

General Fund:

Most current municipal government operations are financed from an account known as the General Fund.  In Arcadia, services such as public safety, public works, recreation and community services, library services and general administration are included in this fund.

Special Revenue Funds:

Special Revenue Funds are used to account for revenue derived from specific taxes or other earmarked revenue sources for expenditures that are restricted by law.  Specific sources included narcotic seizure funds, development fees for new park and playground facilities, construction and maintenance of the City’s street systems and local transportation activities.  Air quality, rehabilitation programs, solid waste management and maintenance of the City's sewer system are also included in the special revenue funds.

Capital Outlay Fund & Facilities Replacement Fund:

The Capital Outlay and Facilities Replacement Fund accounts for acquisition of capital items and construction of capital projects and facilities as determined by the City Council.  Arcadia's Capital Outlay Fund derives its revenue from the City's share of the handle at the Santa Anita Racetrack, as allowed by the State of California.

Enterprise Funds:

The Enterprise Funds – Water, Sewer, and Transit – account for City operations that are financed and operated in a manner similar to private business enterprises. The intent of the City in using this type of fund accounting is to see that the costs (expenses including depreciation) of providing these services to the general public on a continuing basis are financed or recovered primarily through user charges.  Fees for water services provide adequate funding for operations and replacement of capital facilities for the following fiscal year.  Also, transit services, in addition to fare revenue, receive funding from Proposition A Transportation Fund to ensure the enterprise remains in a positive equity position.