PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – Today, August 1, 2023, the City of Long Beach unveiled its Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 24) Budget and the Mayor’s recommendations. The $3.2 billion Proposed FY 24 Budget includes the City Manager’s proposed budget and the Proposed FY 24 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and focuses on key areas identified in the Long Beach Strategic Vision 2030, among other priorities.

“The FY 24 budget addresses the most complex challenges facing our city, like homelessness, climate change, and overall city responsiveness, while ensuring the continued financial health of our city,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “The plan makes strategic investments that will foster economic growth, prepare our community to host the 2028 Olympic games, and expand opportunities for youth, families, and businesses across Long Beach.”

Long Beach is a full-service City and the Proposed FY 24 Budget maintains all services at the FY 23 level reflecting a commitment to providing quality public services; investing in the wellbeing of the community, small businesses and the local economy; and building a solid infrastructure to stabilize the City today and into the future. The budget also makes critical investments for many service priority areas while utilizing resources in a strategic and fiscally prudent way that avoids adding to the General Fund structural shortfall previously projected at the start of the budget development process.

“The Proposed Budget not only focuses on the City’s investments in infrastructure and commitment to quality public services, but it is also a reflection of the many service priority areas shared by our community during the outreach process,” said City Manager Tom Modica. “It is balanced, strategic, and will serve as a critical guiding force for the way we serve the Long Beach community. I extend my gratitude to our Budget Office and all City departments for their unwavering dedication throughout the development of this proposed budget.”

The new investments made in the Proposed FY 24 Budget take into consideration priorities from the Long Beach City Council and key areas identified in the Long Beach Strategic Vision 2030 as well as community feedback from residents received during the budget development process earlier this year. Select highlights are listed below with an even more comprehensive and detailed list in the full budget book available online at longbeach.gov/fy24.

Housing and Homelessness

The City remains committed to providing safe and quality housing that is available and affordable for residents across all income levels. While the City has made significant progress in its efforts to address the issues of affordable housing and homelessness, it remains steadfast in its commitment to identify and leverage additional funding streams and implement more programs, services and opportunities. The budget supports existing services as well as recommended enhancements including:

• One-time funding of $550,000 for the Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) to support various site costs of the recently acquired property, located at 702 W. Anaheim Street, to be utilized as a permanent, year-round shelter for people experiencing homelessness. 
• The structural addition of five new positions in the Health Department’s Homeless Services Bureau to provide critically needed support for the administration of programs and services for persons experiencing homelessness.   
• One-time funding of $300,000 to support the clean-up of large homeless encampment sites, including waste and other items illegally dumped in parks and open spaces. 
• One-time funding of $750,000 for a new Resident Protection Fund that will support the Long Beach Justice Fund and the Tenant Right to Counsel program.
• One-time funding of $200,000 to support the Housing Trust Fund for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) pilot program that will aim to provide pre-fabricated ADUs to homeowners who would then rent the units to lower-income families that hold housing choice vouchers. 

Public Safety

The City is committed to a safe Long Beach through services that enhance public safety and wellbeing with innovative, collaborative and strong community-based relationships and programs. The budget supports existing as well as new, innovative initiatives to achieve a variety of public safety priorities including:

• One-time funding of $1.3 million to implement a Safety Response Unit in the Police Department to address current crime trends through measurable and increased community engagement, education and collaborative enforcement.
• One-time funding of $300,000 to support Police Department traffic enforcement and Citywide Vision Zero pilot projects, in effort to reduce traffic related fatalities and injuries. 
• The structural addition of Measure A funds of $164,973 for a Jail Clinician to aid in critical re-entry program support.
• One-time funding of $500,000 to support a staffing reserve for the Fire Department so that it can bring on staff as needed on high demand days. 
• The structural addition of Measure A funds of $900,000 to fully fund the operations of Fire Engine 17 on the current overtime model.
• The enhanced efficiency of the 9-1-1 Emergency Communication Center by structurally adding $244,179 of Measure A funds to add two Public Safety Dispatcher II positions, boosting dispatcher levels to pre-pandemic budget, and adding a Communications Center Supervisor through General Funds.

Economic Opportunity, Equity and Resiliency

Supporting Long Beach businesses and promoting economic development is a part of the vision of being a city of opportunity for all workers, investors and entrepreneurs.  Fostering a culture of equitable business opportunities and propelling Long Beach’s growing main industries like aerospace and tourism continues to be a key priority for the City. The Budget proposes new investments to support business and economic growth communitywide, including:

• One-time funding of $250,000 to support the Economic Development Department in the design and implementation of the Grow Long Beach initiatives, including the initial consultant, site selector, and proactive business development for targeted industry clusters.
• Increasing structural funding by $1.98 million for a proposed pilot tax credit program, directed by the City Council, for cultivation and adult-use retail licenses who demonstrate good behavior and promotes community benefits, local hiring, living wages and fair labor standards.
• One-time funding of $300,000 to support revenue generation as part of the Grow Long Beach Initiative, including a consultant study specific to revenue opportunities in the City.
• One-time funding of $300,000 to implement a marketing and branding campaign and strategy centered on the City's business attraction, expansion and retention activities.

Education

The City is committed to a future where children in all neighborhoods have access to quality education, childcare, afterschool programs, post-secondary education, and are prepared to successfully enter the workforce. Investing in Long Beach youth and providing resources, opportunities and support for education and career pathways is a priority for the City. The Budget supports the following new investments including:

• One-time funding of $300,000 for the Economic Development Department’s Public Service Pathways Hiring program, which provides employment opportunities in the City of Long Beach for recent graduates and current students working towards their degrees at Long Beach State, Cal State Dominguez Hills and Long Beach City College.
• One-time funding of $500,435 in Measure US funds so that the Health and Human Services Department can continue Community Based Grants and Incentives around Youth Development.
• The structural addition of 12.5 positions in the Library Services Department, as part of the implementation of City Council’s direction in the Adopted FY 23 Budget, to increase library hours across the Long Beach Public Library system.

Mobility, Equitable Placemaking and Reimagining the Public Right of Way

The City continues to make strategic and forward-thinking investments that will maximize current resources for ongoing future benefits in terms of mobility and the city’s infrastructure foundation. The Budget supports these efforts with mobility and infrastructure investments including:  

• An additional enhancement of $214.6 million to the existing five-year infrastructure plan through FY 27, unveiled in the FY 23 Budget, is anticipated to be available from $55.7 million of Measure A sources and $158.9 million from other funding sources. Known as Elevate ‘28, this new funding will enhance the City’s plan to revitalize the City’s infrastructure, prepare the City to be a showcase for the world during the 2028 Olympics, and continue to improve and enhance City parks, major corridors, and visitor-serving areas.
• The Proposed FY 24 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is $170.2 million from various sources (excluding Harbor). Detailed information on all proposed CIP projects is available in the separate CIP Budget Book.
• Adding a City Traffic Engineer to oversee the newly created Traffic Engineering Division in the Engineering Bureau, including the management of the Intelligent Transportation Systems Program, Alternative Transportation & Safe Routes to School Program, and the Neighborhood Partnering Program.
• Adding a Senior Civil Engineer and Civil Engineer Associate to support the Sidewalk/ADA and bridge programs.

Climate and Environmental Sustainability

The City is invested in pursuing goals and strategies to reduce the carbon footprint, prepare for extreme climate events, increase the efficiency of natural resource use, and create more livable communities. Stewarding the City’s environmental resources, combating the consequences of climate change, and supporting various local sustainability practices are all major priorities for the City. Key investments proposed in the Budget include:

• Increasing structural funding by $300,000 and add one-time funding of $700,000 for the citywide implementation of the SCE Clean Energy Green Rate Program to help purchase 100 percent green power for City accounts.  
• One-time funding of $7.5 million in Monsanto settlement funds to be utilized for projects and programs that prioritize impacts to water quality, including tree planting; the Urban Forest Management Plan; water capture education and rebates; a trash interceptor barge; storm drain master plan phase 1 support, and critical improvements.

Health, Behavior and Wellness

An important part of the City’s future vision is for every resident in every neighborhood to have the resources they need to live a physically, mentally and socially healthy life. The City is committed to fostering opportunities for residents across the city to achieve optimal health and quality of life, which includes residents’ safety and wellbeing. The Budget makes additional investments to foster a safer environment for all, including:

• The structural addition of two public health positions in the Library Services Department and Health Department (one each) to coordinate department efforts in response to the citywide mental health and homelessness crises and expand the capacity of the Mental Health Coordination team, respectively.  
• Continuing to invest in youth by providing safe, secure and engaging programming activities by structurally increasing the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Marine’s (PRM) Be S.A.F.E. Program budget by $216,000 to provide programming at all 11 sites. Additionally, one-time funding of $90,000 and $190,000 for PRM to continue offering the Hoops After Dark Summer Season and the Mobile Recess Program, respectively.

Digital Inclusion and Technology

The City acknowledges the importance of digital literacy and digital inclusive infrastructure in today’s increasingly technology-driven world and is focused on advancing innovative solutions to civic challenges. The City will continue to support the Smart City Initiative by:

• Adding one-time funding of $400,000 to support the Innovation Fund for Smart City Pilot Programs and Civic Innovation Projects.

Our Government

The City’s ability to deliver quality public services requires the City to be fiscally resilient, adequately staffed, technologically up-to-date, continually learning, backed by sufficient resources that align with priorities, transparent and fully engaged with the entire Long Beach community. The City continues to invest in and prioritize opportunities that support strong recruitment and retention efforts and employee benefits, as well as investments in supporting the City organization so that it can continue to make positive contributions to the community. Select new investments in our government include:

• One-time funding of $300,000 to support the development of a program that will provide down-payment assistance for employees, as well as one-time funding of $1.7 million to provide as-needed support for expanded recruitment and retention incentives citywide.
• One-time funding of $100,000 for the Office of Equity to support ongoing racial equity training for employees.
• The creation of an Office of Ethics and Transparency to support the management of the City Charter Ethics Commission, Ethics Learning Program, and oversee the City's Public Records Act (PRA) program.
• One-time funding of $300,000 in the Office of Equity to support Long Beach Recovery Act program staff through the end of FY 24, so that staff can continue to provide recovery related programs and resources to those impacted by the pandemic.

Opportunities and Innovations

The City remains committed to anticipating and addressing forthcoming challenges, while embracing innovation and creative solutions. Some key challenges and opportunities include:

• Initiating significant and focused effort on growing the City’s revenue base in line with the Mayor’s Grow Long Beach Initiative to bring new revenue sources for the City and move away from oil related revenues.
• Restructuring the Human Resources Department and continuing recruitment, retention and hiring improvements to address the significant hiring crisis.
• Restructuring the Public Works Department to better meet target goals and implement the significant five-year infrastructure improvement plan, the organics collection program, conduct a strong communications program, and invest in staff training and retention.
• Renaming the Development Services Department to the Community Development Department to better describe the focus of the department on enhancing the development of the Long Beach community.   
• Looking to expand and rename the current Library Services Department to a Library, Arts and Culture Department, in response to the growing interest in creating Cultural Centers and Districts and more accurately aligning with the workstreams of the department.

Elevate ‘28

In 2028, the City of Long Beach will once again co-host the Olympic Games with the City of Los Angeles. An additional investment known as “Elevate ‘28” is a plan that builds upon the five-year infrastructure plan approved last year and includes three focus areas: preparing the City to host the LA 2028 Olympics, renovating and refreshing our parks to support future generations of competitive athletes, and making historic cultural and community investments to uplift and celebrate the diversity and history that Long Beach has to offer. The plan includes $214.6 million from multiple funding sources anticipated to be available from FY 24 – FY 27 dedicated to preparing the city for the Olympics games, inspiring the community, and creating a legacy for post 2028. The Elevate ‘28 plan includes 55 projects that will enhance park space throughout the city, continue to improve water quality, provide wayfinding signage, place making efforts, transportation and mobility improvements, and prepare to elevate the city to the international stage.

FY24 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

The Proposed FY 24 CIP was developed by the departments of Public Works, Financial Management Department and Office of the City Manager. The plan incorporates public input from community members and local elected officials through public workshops and community meetings. The CIP is informed by a comprehensive review of the City’s infrastructure needs, and the goals and priorities submitted by City departments within the context of funding availability. This ensures that the limited resources fund priority projects, while at the same time, maintain the City’s existing infrastructure and extend the useful life of City assets.

The proposed CIP budget invests over $170 million for planning, design, and construction of new capital projects spread across six categories: Long Beach Airport, Beaches, Mobility, Parks, Public Facilities, and Utilities.  Last year the City embarked on a historic five-year $533 million infrastructure investment plan. In May of 2023, City Council unanimously approved the sale of the first tranche ($60 million) of bonds as outlined within the five-year plan. The FY 24 CIP budget includes the funding necessary, and in accordance with, the second year of the five-year plan. The proposed FY 24 CIP budget includes: 

• $2 million in airport runway and terminal improvements 
• $11 million in Tidelands funds to enhance the Beaches and Marinas
• Over $75 million in mobility and safety improvements 
• Nearly $9 million in park improvements including $2.75 million to acquire and develop future park land 
• Nearly $6 million in public facility improvements including critical repairs to the Main Health Center 
• Over $67 million in utility improvements including over $8 million in water quality improvements and Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) related projects
• A full list of projects as part of the proposed FY 24 CIP is available here.

Mayor’s Recommendations

In accordance with the City Charter, the City Manager provided the Mayor with his Proposed Budget in early July. The Mayor has reviewed and supports the Proposed FY 24 Budget and has made additional one-time funding recommendations, including:

• Develop the “Elevate ‘28” Plan, a new five-year infrastructure plan to lift up all Long Beach neighborhoods, youth and culture in preparation for the 2028 Olympics by funding youth sports facilities, park improvements, arts and cultural centers, and the landmarking of historic and cultural sites throughout Long Beach.
• Initiate a plan to redevelop Queen Mary Island heading into the 2028 Olympics as part of the Grow Long Beach Initiative, including assessing the feasibility of constructing a signature public amphitheater within the next five years.  
• Initiate a 10-year plan for the vision and development of the Long Beach Convention Center and the Elephant Lot as part of the Grow Long Beach Initiative. 
• Explore alternative future uses of the THUMS Oil Islands, including energy storage and carbon sequestration as part of the Grow Long Beach Initiative.
• Establish a 10-year West Long Beach “Promise Zone,” focusing increased programming and investment in the community over the next decade.
• Funding for public arts and murals and requesting the City Manager to prepare a Cultural Arts Plan for the 2028 Olympics. 
• Funding an Inclusive Procurement Business Liaison position to expand business assistance and support for women, LGBTQ+ and minority-owned businesses.
• $250,000 for Business Improvement Districts to support programs for enhanced clean and safety activations, and business support and development.
• New support for senior field trips, free summer block parties, neighborhood cleanups, and public libraries, including expanded hours of operation and increased safety measures.
• Health Department funding to improve data collection efforts to better address health disparities impacting the LGBTQ+ community.
• Increasing staff capacity in the Office of Youth Development and funding for City Council offices to support youth-specific programs in their districts.

The City Council will hold the first of several budget hearings today, August 1, to begin the budget review process. The Budget Oversight Committee will continue their series of meetings, which began on July 18, throughout August where they review the budget and provide recommendations to the full City Council. This Proposed Budget will go through review and ultimate approval by the City Council with any modifications as they deliberate and take additional input on the City’s spending plan for the next fiscal year.

Engaging community members through public input is an important and valued part of the City’s budget development process. Earlier this year, the City hosted four in-person meetings and one virtual community meeting and conducted a Budget Priority Survey to offer Long Beach residents an opportunity to provide feedback at an earlier phase of the FY 24 Budget development process. The City will conduct another round of engagement opportunities for the Long Beach community to share their input.

In-person community meetings will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the following:

• Wednesday, August 9 – Recreation Park Community Center (4900 E. 7th St.)
• Monday, August 14 – Cabrillo High School, Small Gymnasium (2198 Monitor Ave.)
• Thursday, August 17 – Mark Twain Library Community Room (1401 E. Anaheim St.)
• Monday, August 21 – Jordan High School, Community Room #2101 (6500 Atlantic Ave.)

Two virtual community meetings will be held on Thursday, August 24, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 6 to 7:30 p.m. Advanced registration for the virtual meetings is required in order to receive the link to the Zoom meeting. Interpretation services in Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog will be available for all meetings with additional languages available upon request by calling 562.570.6465 at least 72 hours in advance of each meeting.

Community members also may provide input on the Proposed Budget by completing the Digital Budget Comment Card, available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog, at a Long Beach Public Library location with open computer labs.

More information about the Proposed Budget, including information about budget hearings and workshops, is available at longbeach.gov/fy24. The City’s budget is developed by the Department of Financial Management, which oversees the financial and fleet services operations of the City, including an over $3.2 billion annual budget, serves as a financial adviser to the City Manager and City Council, and ensures the City’s timely and accurate financial reporting, full transparency and accountability, and integrity.  

About the City of Long Beach

Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health, Parks, Recreation and Marine, Development Services, Public Works and more. The City also has a highly respected university and city college, 2 historic ranchos, 5 hospitals, 12 libraries, 5 golf courses, 169 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov. Watch us on LBTV. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter,Instagram and YouTube.

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