Laguna Beach Furloughs Workers During Coronavirus Shutdown

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The city of Laguna Beach is facing a season of lost tourism income, and has unanimously approved furloughs for city workers at their last council meeting. The city council decided to postpone planned spending, and made cuts in capital improvement projects. The also tabled other financial plans until this summer when the city officials can take a look at what they are dealing with, financially.

Chairman of the Emergency Preparedness Committee, Matt Lawson, wanted the council to focus primarily on life-saving issues during the shutdown. Though the city will remain without a fire marshall until at least June, monies will be set aside to bolster public safety departments.

Meanwhile, funding for grants to the South Laguna Community Garden, the Laguna Art Museum and the Laguna Beach Playhouse remains up in the air, according to a recent report from the OC Register.

Furloughing city workers in departments shut down during the coronavirus pandemic will provide the most savings, the Register reported.
City staff hours have been reduced by 3,000 a week, to help offset the $100,000 a week staff budget.

Furloughed workers are in the departments of parks and recreation, cultural arts, and public transportation drivers.

During the meeting, the council approved $500,000 in additional funding for police, fire, and marine safety services for the duration of the shutdown. Increased financing will bolster vigilance for closed beaches, trails, and parks across the city.

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