Finance

The Finance Department manages the fiscal and financial affairs of the City in a prudent and effective manner. It provides accurate, timely and comprehensive financial information to the City Manager, City Council, other City departments and the general public, and maintains the financial health and stability of the City.

Interactive  Budget Documents

To improve access to and the transparency of Arcata’s annual Budget Process, the City has created an online financial documents to allow viewers to drill down into line-item details of the City's revenues, expenditures and annual budgets.

City of Arcata FY 2025-26 Proposed Budget (link)

City of Arcata FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget (link)

City of Arcata FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget (link)

City of Arcata FY 2022-23 to 2025-26 Financial Report Transparency Portal

Responsibilities

The Finance Department is responsible for providing the financial management of all City funds and maintaining the fiscal integrity of the City. Major activities include:

  • Comprehensive financial analysis and reporting
  • Managing the City's investment portfolio
  • Payroll processing and reporting
  • Preparing and monitoring the budget
  • Purchasing
  • Revenue management, including billing and collection for utilities, licenses and other revenues

City Tax Measures

Water Service

If you need water turned on the same day, please contact us by 2:30 p.m.

If you need an emergency water shut-off outside of normal business hours, please call the Arcata Police Department Dispatch line at (707) 822-2424.

Payments

We have 3 convenient drop boxes for payments: In front of City Hall next to the Postal Service mail drop box, in our lobby on the wall next to the cashier's window, and a drive up box in the back parking lot of City Hall. Our cashier is available to accept payments during business hours.