Artesia: State of the City

By Larry Caballero

Artesia Mayor Victor Manalo presented the State of the City Address Apr. 27 at a luncheon sponsored by the Artesia Chamber of Commerce at the DES Portuguese Hall in Artesia.
“I am excited to share with you my overall vision for the city, which includes our upcoming Capital Projects, our budget health and outlook, and our plans to improve the quality of life for all Artesians,” said Manalo.
“We’re proud of our Capital Projects that will be funded mostly by Redevelopment money that include $1,160,703 for our Historical District, almost $4 million for a Parking Structure in our Downtown area, more than $2 million for upgrading our Maintenance Yard, an additional $3 million for Downtown Revitalization projects and $142,000 for the Artesia Boulevard Corridor.”
Manalo stated that City Manager Maria Dadian was very excited when she saw “lots of construction, buildings and dirt. We’ve waited a long time for this.”
Yet Manalo is concerned with the state budget crisis and a threat of losing Redevelopment funds.
Artesia’s General Fund Appropriations include:
• more than $3 million or 44% of the budget for General Administration,
• $2.6 million or 38% for Public Safety,
• $566,500 for Community Promotions and Park & Leisure Services,
• $402,622 for Building & Economic Development and
• $356,148 for Public Works & Engineering.
Artesia’s General Fund Revenue of more than $7 million includes a major portion from
• $4,624,000 in taxes,
• $878,254 from User Fees, and
• $590,620 from Use of Property/public right of way.
“The problem that Artesia and all of the cities face is the reliance of tax revenues to pay our bills,” said Manalo. In tough economic times, cities need to find ways of balancing the budget by cutting services or raising fees or both.
“We get no General Fund revenue from property taxes that means a loss of more than $900,000 to our city. Yet as Mayor I am humbled with the support and cooperation we receive from our businesses and friends.” Manalo wants to diversify revenue sources in the future.
Manalo made it clear that Artesia is not having the problems that the City of Bell is experiencing, yet “residents need to always be vigilant, and they also share responsibility for what happens in our City.”
Manalo is excited about instituting Town Hall meetings that gives him the opportunity to interact with residents and businesses, and he plans to continue encouraging everyone to attend.
He is also pleased with the City’s participation in the Artesia Initiative with New Life Church where residents will be given the opportunity to help their neighbors and schools with city projects that include house and yard cleaning.
I also want to build a Veterans Memorial in Artesia,” said Manalo. “That was the dream of former Mayor Larry Nelson who contributed $14,000 of his own money before he died.” Manalo concluded, “Artesia is a great city. Visit us whenever you can, and be ready to shop around the world while enjoying the diversity of cultures in one place.” The city has a diverse population that includes 36.7% Asian, 31.1% Hispanic and 24.2% White
Artesia is one of the county’s Gateway Cities. It was incorporated on May 29, 1959. The 2000 census showed the population at16,380.. Its population in July 2009 was16,182, a population change since 2000 of -1.2%. Estimated median household income in 2009 was $49,243. Estimated per capita income in 2009 was $18,677. The city is surrounded on the west, south, and east sides by Cerritos, with Norwalk to the north.