CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT DEFICIT BUDGET

On Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 4:30pm in the City Council Conference Room, City Council will hold a Special Meeting to reconsider its 3-2 "No" vote to adopt the proposed compensation increase of 18% salary increase plus additional increases to medical, longevity and assignment pay for Arcadia Fire Fighters Association a total of $6.8M in costs and 18% for the Arcadia Civil Employees Association with similar increases for medical and longevity for a total cost of $3.66M. These proposed compensation packages along with the other 3 union compensation increases approved on July 2 will put Arcadia in an approximate $1M budget deficit for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. This will not include additional costs of raises for Upper Management and unrepresented employees of the City of Arcadia.

Last Tuesday, September 17, 2024, City Council voted 3-2 against these contracts. The 3 Council Members voting "No" were Mayor Pro Tem Sharon Kwan, Council Member Eileen Wang and myself. I encourage everyone to watch the last council meeting here and see the discussion that was had regarding this consent agenda item.

Since last Tuesday, Council Member Eileen Wang has asked to have a meeting this Tuesday in order for her to reconsider her "No" vote.

During the discussion of the contracts last Tuesday, Mayor Cao explained what he believed was the need for the compensation increase:

"They (Firefighters) do a heck of a job and I am so proud of them and if we don't support that (the compensation increase), the next time we ask for help, the next time we ask for service, what do you think the natural human response is going to be? You think they are going to work a little harder? Get there a little earlier when you don't show them the respect and the support that they deserve because they earned it? So for me the question is about we have reserves. What do we value? I value life . . . I choose life."

WE HAD OPTIONS

I publicly suggested less risky and more fiscally responsible options, such as one-time bonuses.

These options were not considered by the other members of the City Council at last Tuesday's meeting.

These same Council Members have also actively sought the endorsement of Police and Fire Unions for their campaigns for City Council. And when the Police and Fire Unions endorse and/or support a Council Member for election or re-election during pay raise negotiations, it can give the impression that the support of the unions is contingent upon favorable compensation decisions, leading to concerns about impartiality of the Council Member charged with determining raises for city employees.

This can erode public confidence in these elected officials, suggesting that their primary allegiance may be to the Police and Fire Unions in order to secure or maintain endorsements, compromising their ability to make fiscally responsible decisions that are in the best interest of the community.

I have always put the best interests of the community I serve over and above my own personal political aspirations. The Arcadia Police Officer's Association withdrew their endorsement of me when I voted "No" in July of this year against a contract for the over 18% (plus medical, longevity and assignment) compensation increase. I became an enemy of public safety, a liar and a turncoat in the eyes of the Police Union, even though I was in favor of raises with larger recruitment and signing bonuses, but just not the pay increases that went well over 18% when including medical, longevity and assignment. I wanted something that was more fiscally responsible and less of a risk to the financial stability of Arcadia.

I will leave Arcadia City Council in December with my integrity in tact. I am proud of the work I have done and the votes I have cast. I had hoped to leave Arcadia in a better financial position than when I first ran in 2016, but it seems that we are right back where we started 8 years ago.

CHAMPION OF PUBLIC SAFETY

I have championed public safety throughout my 8 years on City Council. By creating a balanced budget and surpluses, I ensured that Arcadia could afford the costs of public safety without the risk of layoffs or the "freezing" of positions.

Public safety is my top priority like it is for everyone in Arcadia and all of City Council. I value the men and women of our police and fire who sacrifice and risk their lives everyday for the residents of Arcadia. I am so grateful that these heroes that are our first responders chose Arcadia and we have shown our love and support for our first responders time and again.

But it was important to me to create surpluses. These surpluses allowed for opportunities to purchase life saving equipment for our public safety employees.

I voted to purchase an armored rescue vehicle during the pandemic in 2022. I voted to add 4 new sworn officer positions. I voted to introduce a new Basic Life Support Ambulance service earlier this year, providing a alternate to all responses being Advanced Life Support Ambulances. I voted for a $1M Fire Engine and a $2M Ladder Truck. I voted for more Vehicle License Plate reader cameras. I voted to purchase mobile cameras providing 24/7 surveillance.

But because these raises go over budget, Arcadia will not be able to consider adding drones and pilots to modernize public safety. This would have enhanced the safety of Arcadia for both the residents and our first responders. Drones are being used by other agencies for surveillance, fire suppression and SWAT reconnaissance.

Budgets cannot be based on faith, hope and love. Public Safety requires financial stability. Financial stability requires careful, meaningful decision-making. It has been an honor to serve the residents of Arcadia and to have been entrusted with the fiscal responsibility of the taxpayer's dollars. I know the value of these hard earned dollars and the sacrifices made by you. I do not want to put the City in the position where it will once again be asking the residents to raise taxes "one more time".

April A. Verlato

Council Member

City of Arcadia

240 W. Huntington Dr. | Arcadia, CA 91007

(626) 574-5401 | averlato@arcadiaca.gov

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