Long Beach, News

Mo’ money, less problems

Long Beach may be able to give its citizens better streets and parking and even keep money in the bank, according to the first proposed budget for the 2016 fiscal year.

The draft passed through its first City Council meeting unscathed and was mostly praised on Tuesday.

City Manager Patrick West proposed a total budget of $2.7 billion for the city beginning on Oct. 1, noting that improved revenues bring the city budget from a projected deficit to a small surplus.

“This budget reflects a strong fiscal discipline by the city council,” West said. “Over the past 10 years, we have cut $134 million [from the general fund] and almost 700 positions.”

The surplus is estimated to be around $630,000. West noted that this is the third year in a row that Long Beach is dealing with a surplus instead of a projected deficit, but that the quality of city services are still being maintained and invested in.

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia called the budget “responsible” and “balanced,” and said that it plans to move the structural surplus over to the following fiscal year in order to better deal with future deficit.

The proposal was met with support and suggestions from the council members present and largely undisputed – unsurprising considering the city is left with more money, not less, at the end of the proposal.

Second District Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal noted that the proposal fulfilled long-term budget priorities, like cutting back on the street-sweeping window to improve parking around the city. Her district, which covers downtown, Redondo neighborhoods, and the Port of Long Beach, often struggles hard with the complexities of little parking and early street sweeping times, she said.

Other areas of proposed development include efficiency in water and fuel consumption, infrastructure for streets, better beaches, as well as new police stations and libraries around Long Beach.

In particular, Ninth District Councilmember Rex Richardson suggested more money for the North Branch Library on Orange Avenue so that it could stay open on Sundays due to high traffic.

The proposal sets aside $412 million in general funds for the improvements in city services, like the parks, libraries, and police. $20.5 million will go toward fixing streets.

There are also plans for a new civic center that should break ground in the next year, West said.

“This budget has a lot to celebrate,” West said, noting that it reflects the city’s improved economy.

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