Annexation to Sacramento makes the most sense to bring a city level of service to the Arden Arcade area, but if annexation can’t happen, cityhood should.
Arden Arcade cityhood plan takes big step
With petitions validated, agency will look at fiscal details and estimate a price tag for voters.
By Ed Fletcher - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, April 12, 2007
By a 141-signature margin, those hoping to make Arden Arcade a city cleared a big obstacle Wednesday when Sacramento County officials validated 9,580 names on incorporation petitions.
The cityhood drive needed 9,439 to move forward.
Other obstacles remain.
In late February, cityhood backers predicted they would easily meet the petition requirement.
The tighter-than-expected margin of valid signatures is just one sign the incorporation effort won't be easy.
The election office's OK triggers an intensive study of the viability of the proposed city by a local government agency and launches incorporation backers into full-fledged fundraising mode.
"It's a huge milestone," said Trish Harrington, a cityhood committee member. "Now we have to raise money and educate everyone."
