06/09/2026
Good afternoon,
I wanted to help clear up some confusion regarding the items presented at last night's Board of Aldermen meeting.
Vendor Permit Ordinance
The first bill presented would establish a vendor permit requirement for special events. The primary purpose of this ordinance is to ensure that vendors are properly licensed and, in the case of food vendors, are current on all required health department inspections and permits.
The Board voted to table the bill in order to make several wording changes that will provide greater clarity regarding what constitutes a special event and which vendors would be required to obtain a permit.
Public Nuisance Ordinance Amendments
The second bill presented involved amendments to two existing public nuisance ordinances already on the city's books. The only substantive change proposed was to provide the city with an additional method of addressing public nuisances by allowing the city to abate the nuisance if the property owner or tenant fails to do so.
The Board tabled the bill to revise portions of the language in the amended sections. The intent of the proposal is simply to give the city another tool to address nuisances such as overgrown vegetation, accumulated debris, and similar issues when necessary.
I want to be clear that the City of Arcadia will always strive to work with residents to resolve issues voluntarily. We understand that every situation is unique and may involve extenuating circumstances.
Water Rate Ordinance
The third bill presented proposed an adjustment to the city's water rates. A more detailed explanation of the need for this increase will be released soon.
The proposed rate increase represents the minimum adjustment necessary to maintain the financial stability of the water system. Rising operational costs, increasing regulatory requirements, and repairs to aging infrastructure have all contributed to the need for additional revenue.
The proposed base rate would increase to $32.50 for the first 4,000 gallons of water usage, which is billed on a bi-monthly basis. For the average residential, in city customer, this would result in an increase of approximately $7 to $8 per month, or about $14 to $15 per billing cycle. Minimal increases were made to the 4001-16,000 gallon tier and the 16,000+ gallon tier. Our new rates remain far below nearby municipalities. Here is the breakdown:
Within the city limits:
First 4,000 Gal.: Old Rate: $18.48, new rate: $32.50
4001-16,000 Gal: Old Rate $ 3.37, new rate: $ 3.88
16,001+ Gal.: Old Rate $ 2.41, new rate: $ 2.65
Outside the city limits:
First 4,000 Gal.: Old Rate: $28.03, new rate: $49.33
4001-16,000 Gal: Old Rate $ 5.07, new rate: $ 5.83
16,001+ Gal.: Old Rate $ 3.51, new rate: $ 3.86
The Board and city administration did not approach this decision lightly. Extensive research and analysis were conducted to develop a plan that minimizes the financial impact on residents while still providing the resources necessary to operate and maintain a safe, reliable drinking water system.
Cyrus Russell Park
The fourth bill presented would establish a new city park, Cyrus Russell Park, located near the intersection of Thompson Road and Assembly Lane.
Additional details will be provided in an upcoming press release. It is important to note that NO city funds will be used for the development of the park. The project will be funded entirely through donations, fundraising efforts, and volunteer labor.
The initial phase of the project is expected to include a parking area, two pavilions, an approximately 750-foot walking trail, and a community garden.
All funds received for the park will be maintained in a separate account and used exclusively for improvements to the park property.
We look forward to sharing more information about this exciting community project in the coming weeks.
Thank you for reading. -Mayor Brandon
