City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: OCTOber 6, 2026 FROM: FINANCE DEPARTMENT WARDS: 5 & 6
SUBJECT: ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ARLINGTON BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP, A RESOLUTION OF INTENTION TO LEVY THE ANNUAL ASSESSMENT IN THE ARLINGTON BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027 AND FIXING THE TIME AND PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON LEVY OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT ISSUE:
Approve the Annual Report of the Arlington Business Partnership, adopt a Resolution to levy the annual assessment in the Arlington Business Improvement District for Fiscal Year 2026/2027, and fix the time and place for a Public Hearing on the proposed assessment for October 20, 2026.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Receive and approve the Annual Report of the Arlington Business Partnership, acting in its capacity as the advisory board to the Arlington Business Improvement District; Adopt a Resolution to declare the City of Riverside’s intention to levy the annual assessment in the Arlington Business Improvement District for Fiscal Year 2026/2027; and Set a public hearing for October 20, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. on the levy of the proposed assessment.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Riverside established the Arlington Business Improvement District (Arlington BID) to represent and promote local businesses and community engagement events, initiate improvement projects, and foster a sense of pride within the Arlington business area. The City Council approved the BID’s formation on September 24, 2002, with the first BID assessments beginning on November 1, 2002 and was codified in Chapter 3.48 of Riverside Municipal Code. The Arlington Business Partnership (ABP) was designated as the advisory board to manage the Arlington BID.
The District is located in the Arlington business area of the City of Riverside and is generally described between Arlington Avenue to the north, along Van Buren to Lincoln on the south, and parts of Magnolia Avenue from Tyler on the west to Jackson Street on the east. The district is more fully shown on the Boundary Map, noted as attachment 2 on this report. The annual Arlington BID assessment is currently set at $400 per business.
Business tax rates in the City, including any associated charges, are adjusted annually on November 1, and are based upon the most recent annual change in the consumer price index for the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area, or by a maximum of 5%, whichever is lower.
The Arlington BID was formed under Section 36500 of the California Streets & Highways Code. The Code mandates that the advisory board prepare an annual report detailing the assessments and activities funded by the BID. The City Council may approve the report as filed or request modifications. During the annual levy process for FY 2023/2024, the City Council determined that in order to enhance transparency within all Business Improvement Districts, additional detailed information would need to be provided from the advisory boards. Resolution No. 24095 was approved by City Council on March 19, 2024, and details the scope of the new reporting requirements for the Arlington BID.
DISCUSSION:
The Streets & Highways Code mandates reporting requirements that the Advisory Board must follow. These reports are presented to the City Council each year and include items such as: any proposed changes to the boundaries or assessment amounts in the district, the method and basis of assessments, and improvements and activities for the coming year.
According to the FY 2026/2027 Arlington BID Annual Report, there are no proposed changes to the district boundaries or the assessment amounts. Businesses within the district will continue to pay a flat rate of $400 per business.
The report provides a detailed method and basis of calculating the assessments enabling each business owner to estimate their annual charges. Upcoming activities include programs to enhance the physical environment, clean up vandalism, beautify, and prepare for the various community events such as the annual chili cook-off and Winter Wonderland.
To levy the Arlington BID assessments for FY 2026/2027, the City Council must adopt a Resolution of Intention and schedule a public hearing. This Resolution will be published in a general distribution newspaper seven (7) days prior to the public hearing. Additionally, a notice will be mailed to business license tax certificate holders within the Arlington BID. This step was previously brought to Council on September 1, 2026 but the notice to business owners was not completed within the 7-day timeline, as required by Streets & Highways Code. A new Resolution of Intention must be approved by City Council in order to remain in compliance with government code, and a new Public Hearing date is set to accommodate the revised schedule.
The Public Hearing is now scheduled for October 20, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at which time any protests against the proposed assessment can be heard. Following the Public Hearing, Council may approve the Annual Report as is or may modify it before final approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This action has no fiscal impact to the City. Upon adoption at the set public hearing, the assessment is expected to generate approximately $375,200 for FY 2026/2027, which the City will collect through the annual business tax process and transfer directly to the Arlington Business Partnership.
Prepared by: Meline Carranza, Debt and Treasury Manager Approved by: Sergio Aguilar, Deputy Finance Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Julie Nemes, Finance Director
Approved by: Edward Enriquez, Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer
Approved as to form: James Johnson, City Attorney
Attachments:
Resolution of Intention to Levy the Arlington BID Assessments for FY 2026/27 Boundary Map of Arlington BID
Annual Report of the Arlington BID
Arlington Business Improvement District ● Page 2