Long Beach Mayor Unveils $3.7B FY 26 Budget, Invites Community Input

Long Beach Mayor Unveils $3.7B FY 26 Budget, Invites Community Input

LONG BEACH, CA – Mayor Rex Richardson unveiled the City of Long Beach’s $3.7 billion Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, including the City Manager’s recommendations and a $188.8 million Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

Facing a $16.9 million General Fund deficit down from a projected $30 million due to voter-approved Measure LB, the budget uses one-time funds to maintain core services amid declining oil revenues and economic uncertainty. Richardson emphasized equity, stating, “We don’t want people to have to choose between health care or paying the rent or making a choice between going to work or the risk of potentially being separated from their families.” Residents can share feedback at six community meetings and five City Council hearings through September.

Budget Overview

Aligned with the Long Beach Strategic Vision 2030, the budget reflects community input and prioritizes public safety, housing, homelessness, economic growth, and infrastructure. It addresses a $60.5 million five-year structural shortfall, exacerbated by the expiration of Long Beach Recovery Act funds, through fee increases and program preservation.

Key Investments

•  Public Safety & Youth: Funds bolster police and fire services, including a High Crime Focus Team, civilian assistants, and a peak-load ambulance unit. Youth programs like Safe Passages and Hoops After Dark continue, with youth-led budgeting initiatives.

•  Homelessness & Housing: Nearly $16 million from LA County’s Measure A funds the Upstream LB plan, supporting senior subsidies, tenant legal aid, crisis response, and permanent housing.

•  Long Beach Values: Over $5 million protects immigrants via the Justice Fund, emergency aid, and a “Safe Place” Business Certification. Policies limit federal agent access and enforce the Long Beach Values Act.

•  Economic Growth: Over $8.7 million from land sales supports small business loans, tariff relief, and neighborhood revitalization, including Downtown events and El Mercado de Long Beach.

•  Infrastructure: The $188.8 million CIP, part of the $1.1 billion Elevate ‘28 plan, funds street repairs, park upgrades, and Olympic preparations, supported by $12.3 million from Measure A.

Community Engagement

Residents can shape the budget at six community meetings (6:00–7:30 p.m., except August 16): August 6 (American Gold Star Manor), August 7 (virtual, registration at longbeach.gov/fy26), August 13 (Browning HS), August 16 (Wardlow Park, 10:00–11:30 a.m.), August 18 (Michelle Obama Library), August 20 (Billie Jean King Library). Five Council hearings begin August 5, with the Budget Oversight Committee reviewing from July 29 to September 9. Interpretation in Spanish, Khmer, Tagalog, and ASL is available. Submit feedback via the Digital Budget Comment Card at longbeach.gov/fy26 or at library computer labs.

What It Means for Residents

The budget sustains essential services like safety, housing, and infrastructure but relies on temporary funds, raising sustainability concerns. Community input is vital to balance priorities. Visit longbeach.gov/fy26 for details.