Long Beach Proposed Budget With Nominal Tax Increase

The City of Long Beach has released its draft 2017-18 budget to the public, and it includes a nominal tax increase for residents. The city managed to keep its spending increase within the tax cap, which was 1.26 percent this year, but residents will still see a tax increase -- $56 more for the average Long Beach house.

The city was faced with some large and unavoidable budget increases this year: $1.05 million for health insurance and $1.08 million in debt service, as well as $227,000 in contractual salary increases and $350,000 in retirement and pension costs.

The city government said it took many steps to help keep the increase to residents to a minimum. There was $2.1 million cut from various departments throughout the city, contracts with the CSEA union were negotiated that saved more than $400,000 in salary for 2017-18 and more. The city's bond rating was also increased, which lead to $200,000 less in interest payments.

Long Beach has also been gradually reducing its workforce over the last few years through attrition. The City Council says this has saved $260,000 for 2017-18.

The City Council will be accepting public comments on the budget through the month of May, and will vote on the proposed spending plan by May 31. You can get more information about the budget here.

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