On August 1, the City of Long Beach disclosed its game plan for the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY 25), ringing in a $3.6 billion budget that aims to bolster strategic investments throughout the city. The budget proposal, which encapsulates the City Manager's plan, the Mayor's Recommendations, and the capital improvement scheme, attempts to align with the Long Beach Strategic Vision 2030 and several pressing priorities, according to a statement obtained by the City of Long Beach's website.
Despite efforts to prevent it, a $61.5 million General Fund shortfall looms over the next five years. Mayor Rex Richardson noted a pivotal change in funding core city services, asserting, "Long Beach is at an important moment of transition, and the way we fund our core city services is changing." He cited the need for an economy that grows in a sustainable and inclusive way to secure Long Beach's fiscal future.
Fiscal conservatism meshes with strategic investments in the proposed budget plan which safeguards basic public amenities. Aspects like affordable housing, public safety, and educational initiatives are at the forefront. For instance, the budget makes a $545,048 grant available for an Office of Homeless Strategy and Partnerships and allocates $1.3 million to a High Crime Focus Team tasked with violent crime reduction efforts, the City of Long Beach's website article outlines.
The city Manager Tom Modica expressed a commitment towards fiscal responsibility and quality public services, stating, "The Proposed Budget reflects careful evaluation of our financial resources and how we will fund core public services now and into the future, as well as critical priorities and investments benefitting our community now and for generations to come." A myriad of initiatives, ranging from public safety enhancements to economic development strategies, are detailed in the budget proposal—showcasing an ambition to improve Long Beach on multiple fronts.
The capital improvements for FY 25, tallied at $221.8 million (excluding the Harbor Department), focus on infrastructure refurbishments fundamental to the city's long-term functionality. These allocations include $2 million for airport renovations and nearly $9 million toward shorefront alterations. A significant portion of these funds stems from Measure A—an initiative bolstering Long Beach's structural backbone—paired with additional funds as part of the Elevate '28 Infrastructure Plan, according to the statement by the City of Long Beach.
Community engagement stands as an essential aspect of the budget scheme, with upcoming in-person and virtual meetings designed to gather input from Long Beach residents. Feedback sessions include four in-person gatherings located at various community hubs and one online discussion slated for mid-August. Long Beach denizens can also pitch in with their perspectives via a digital comment card accessible at local library computer labs. The quest for public insight mirrors the City's commitment to craft a budget reflecting not just municipal goals, but also the voices of its populace.
City Council will commence the budget hearings on August 6, 2024, venturing through a string of discussions culminating in mid-September. This period encompasses a review and potential adjustments prior to the final stamp of approval. With these steps, Long Beach inches closer to enacting a financial vision that aspires to meet today's urgencies and paves the way for a resilient tomorrow.
