City Of Long Beach Broke; Plans To Lay Off 142 Workers

LONG BEACH, NY — The City of Long Beach has a deficit of more than $14 million and plans to lay off 142 part-time workers to help fill the gap, according to reports on the city's finances.

According to the Long Beach Herald, the city has a $14.6 million deficit. It plans to lay off 142 non-essential, part-time workers on Wednesday. The workers are mainly staff at the recreation center, senior center and youth department, the Herald reported.

City officials said that years of mismanagement by former leaders left the city in dire straights. City Council President John Bendo told Newsday that the city finances were "even wore than we imagined." He said the coronavirus pandemic has only exacerbated the city's financial problems.

The city is holding its scheduled City Council meeting tonight at 7 p.m. Due to the social distancing restrictions put in place during the pandemic, the meeting will not be held in person. Residents can find details about how to watch the meeting online by clicking here.

Donna Garden, the new city manager, will present a budget to the City Council this week. it has to be approved by Friday.

The city is also starting negotiations with its unions about making concessions, Newsday reported.