FALL 2014 City of Artesia: Fiscal Challenges and Measure Y Information

THE CITY OF ARTESIA OPERATES IN A VERY FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE, FRUGAL, AND THOUGHTFUL MANNER. OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE CITY HAS CUT 30% OF ITS WORKFORCE AND HAS SEEN THE STATE ELIMINATE CLOSE TO $2 MILLION ANNUALLY IN LOCAL RESOURCES. IN TOTAL, THE CITY’S BUDGET HAS BEEN REDUCED ABOUT 33% IN RECENT YEARS. Artesia’s Fiscal Challenges

COMMUNITY MEMBERS SUBMITTED A LETTER SIGNED BY OVER 250 RESIDENTS TO THE CITY COUNCIL REQUESTING THAT THE CITY EXPAND AND ENHANCE THE SERVICES IT PROVIDES. Listening To The Community

TO ADDRESS THESE NEEDS, IN JULY THE ARTESIA CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY PLACED MEASURE Y ON THE NOVEMBER 2014 BALLOT. MEASURE Y IS A 4.9% UTILITY USERS TAX (UUT). Measure Y

IF ENACTED, MEASURE Y WOULD MAKE ADDITIONAL FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR GENERAL CITY SERVICES, INCLUDING CRIME AND GANG PREVENTION PROGRAMS, RESPONSE, STREET AND ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE, PARKS AND RECREATION, AND OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY CENTER. What Will Measure Y Do?

IF ENACTED, MEASURE Y PROVIDES ARTESIA WITH A LOCAL SOURCE OF FUNDING THAT CANNOT BE TAKEN BY SACRAMENTO. MEASURE Y WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO FUND PROGRAMS AND SERVICES CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS. Measure Y Serves Local Needs

Local Funds For Local Needs

IF ENACTED, MEASURE Y FUNDS MAY BE SPENT ON GENERAL CITY SERVICES, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING PRIORITIES: MAINTAINING CRIME AND GANG PREVENTION PROGRAMS MAINTAINING RAPID POLICE RESPONSE TIMES FIXING POTHOLES, MAINTAINING AND REPAIRING NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS AND ROADS MAINTAINING NEIGHBORHOOD POLICE PATROLS ENHANCING SENIOR AND YOUTH PROGRAMS BY PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO UPGRADE THE CITY’S 50-YEAR-OLD COMMUNITY CENTER DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES What Community Priorities Will Measure Y Address?

IF ENACTED, MEASURE Y FUNDS MUST BE SPENT LOCALLY FOR CITY OF ARTESIA PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. MEASURE Y FUNDS CANNOT BE TAKEN BY SACRAMENTO AND ARE SUBJECT TO ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDITS AND INDEPENDENT REVIEW BY A 5-MEMBER CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. BY LAW, THERE CAN BE NO INCREASE TO THE UUT RATE WITHOUT VOTER APPROVAL. MEASURE Y INCLUDES EXEMPTIONS FOR ANYONE IN THE SCE AND GAS COMPANY CARE PROGRAMS. Is Measure Y Accountable?

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MEASURE Y, PLEASE VISIT THE CITY’S WEBSITE AT OR CONTACT ANDREW PERRY AT ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 TH. THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IS OCTOBER 20. TO REGISTER ONLINE VISIT: Questions?