Long Beach · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Long Beach public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Development Impact Fee Nexus Study
The city wants to update the fees developers pay for parks, police, fire, and transportation improvements citywide. This shapes how new growth pays for the services it demands — and can affect housing costs. A public hearing is scheduled for residents to weigh in.
Measure A FY 27 spending plan
Measure A sales tax dollars fund city services, and this committee provides citizen oversight. The update shows how the plan the City Council adopted in the FY 27 budget is being put into action.
Series 2026 bond financing for city capital projects
The Finance Authority signed off on lease revenue bonds that pay for Fire Station 9, the police crime lab and DNA lab, the Police Academy, EV charging stations, Belmont Pool and Convention Center improvements, plus infrastructure across the city. The deal also refinances 2019B open-space bonds. This is the financing mechanism behind a big chunk of the city's capital improvement budget.
2026 Lease Revenue Bond issuance
The Authority considered authorizing Lease Revenue Bonds, Series 2026, to pay for a broad slate of city projects — Fire Station 9, police crime lab and academy facilities, EV charging stations, the Belmont Pool, Convention Center improvements, and infrastructure citywide. The bonds would be repaid through leases of city-owned buildings.
Financing and education to improve rental housing
Committee members and the apartment association found common ground on exploring low-cost city loans for seismic and habitability upgrades, a tenant/landlord education hotline, and better data collection on substantial remodel outcomes.
Mills Act Program modifications
Long Beach is considering changes to the Mills Act, which gives historic property owners property tax reductions in exchange for preservation work. Proposed changes include new priority criteria for cultural heritage, public benefit, and affordability; a biennial application cycle; and 20-year limits on new contracts. The program costs the general fund about $400,000 a year in property tax revenue but incentivizes restoration of historic homes and buildings.
Restoration of Public Health Professional III position in Office of Veterans Support
The Office of Veterans Support coordinator's position has been cut to part-time, limiting what the commission can do — including cancelling the Veterans Day recognition ceremony. The commission is organizing a letter and outreach campaign to get the position restored in the FY 2027 budget.
Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) with LA County
The city is exploring an EIFD that would capture a portion of future property tax growth from new development in five areas — downtown, the airport, Anaheim/Esther corridors, North Long Beach, and the Santa Fe corridor — and spend it on infrastructure and affordable housing. The county could match the city's contribution, potentially yielding about $385 million over 50 years. No new tax is involved, and formation would require multiple public hearings and a protest opportunity for residents and property owners in the district.
Labor negotiations with city employee unions
The city is negotiating contracts with nearly all of its employee bargaining groups, from SEIU Local 721 to engineers and city attorneys. Any deal on pay and benefits will eventually come back to the council — and affect the city budget — in public.
Rising cost of affordable housing construction
The $79.6 million price tag for roughly 100 units — about $800,000 per unit — sparked discussion about why new affordable housing costs so much and whether alternatives like ADUs and acquisition-rehab make more sense.
FY 2027 budget cuts to parks programming
The department absorbed about $2.8 million in cuts amid a $58 million citywide shortfall, but preserved maintenance funding and restored B-Safe evening hours, teen programming and Nature Center hours.
Affordable housing fund nearly depleted
The legacy affordable housing fund from the old redevelopment agency is down to about $49,000 after years of spending down. The good news: new state and county grants are now funding roughly $27.5 million in projects with over 500 new units.
General aviation landing fees at Long Beach Airport
The commission formed a committee to study whether general aviation aircraft should pay landing fees at Long Beach Airport, responding to a Council District 5 request. A resident noted other airports like Austin and Falcon Field have adopted fees, with FAA requirements that they apply equally.
Commission's future and $1.7M parking fund
State-recommended options include dissolving or consolidating this commission, which keeps 100% of its parking revenue — about $1.7 million. Critics call the fund unaccountable 'hoarding'; commissioners argue the money keeps Second Street clean and safe and would vanish into the general fund.
Restructuring of public comment rules
The council adopted an ordinance moving all public comment to one period at the start of meetings, capping speakers and giving the mayor power to cut speaking times. Over 1,200 residents signed a petition against it, and three council members voted no. The rules take effect 31 days after the mayor signs, with a six-month review promised.
Department finances and water use
The department has spent about 84% of its general fund budget through August and expects to finish the fiscal year near 99.8%. Water spending is at 89% of the annual budget, and recent rain helped irrigation but cost some revenue.
Marina district paid parking plan
The council has approved roughly 1,800 paid parking spaces ($2/hour) in the marina area, with revenue earmarked to help operate the Belmont Pool. A parking study is underway and a management plan presentation will come to the full commission in coming months.
Marina Operating Fund financial health
The marina fund is running a healthy surplus this year, with debt coverage already beating the 1.25 goal. Slip rates rise 4% in FY27, and storm-related overtime will add costs across two fiscal years.
Cost of Service and Rate Study
The commission hired Water Resources Economics to study utility costs and rates. This study will inform how water and utility rates are structured for Long Beach residents in coming years.
Cannabis business tax changes
Retail cannabis taxes rise from 7% to 8% of gross receipts and cultivator taxes from $12 to $15 per square foot, with the Pilot Tax Program sunsetting. The money funds public services; final adoption comes next meeting.
Federal funding cuts and economic uncertainty
Long Beach won 7 of 8 congressionally directed spending projects in the federal package signed February 2, but faces shifting grant rules, clawbacks, and potential DHS shutdown risk. The lost project was an airport unleaded fuel pilot program the city wants to keep pursuing with Senator Padilla.
Shrinking federal and city funding for workforce programs
Federal workforce funding dropped 5%, the county moved Youth at Work to competitive bidding, and the city's $58 million in budget cuts limit its ability to backfill grant-ineligible costs. Staff are chasing foundation money and building a nonprofit arm to diversify revenue.
Parking meter fund health after rate increase
Meter revenue is up 38% since rates rose from $2 to $3 in October 2025, projecting a $407,000 surplus and $727,000 fund balance. That opens the door for more cleaning, beautification, and security spending — though a $200,000 annual debt payment runs until about 2041.
City hiring speed and vacancy rates improving
The city's average time to hire is now 88.2 business days, under the 90-day post-merger goal, and the vacancy rate dropped from 22% to about 16.5%. Commissioners still want it faster and want clearer communication to candidates about start dates.
Hiring modernization under Measure JB
The city's average time to hire is now 88.2 business days, under the 90-day post-merger goal, and the vacancy rate dropped from 22% to about 16.5%. Commissioners still want it faster and want clearer communication to candidates about start dates.
Support for employees affected by layoffs
With layoffs underway, HR is running rapid-response sessions and building priority placement lists so laid-off classified employees get first look at vacancies, plus transition training plans for new roles.
Cannabis tax increase
The committee recommends repealing the 1% cannabis tax reduction, raising the adult-use retail rate from 7% to 8% and setting cultivator rates at $15 per square foot. This is expected to bring in about $1.15 million for regulation, enforcement, and public health and safety services.
Parking citation increases to $100
Parking fines for violations like bike lane and red curb parking would rise to $100, and street sweeping citations would go from $75 to $80 — together generating an estimated $2.2 million to fund library, police, fire, and park restorations.
Civil and human rights investment screening policy
The committee directs the City Manager to amend the City's Investment Policy to add civil and human rights investment screening, with an evidence-based compliance standard and expanded criteria covering immigration detention and border surveillance companies.
FY 2027 Capital Improvement Program and General Plan conformity
The city's $299.6 million infrastructure budget for FY 2027 covers streets, parks, libraries, storm drains, the airport and beaches. Commissioner Clemson pushed back hard, arguing the document doesn't show whether projects actually advance Vision Zero safety goals or climate targets — a debate staff promised to continue as the city builds its next five-year plan, Renew 32.
2028 Olympic Games readiness
The City Manager's Office is staffing up Games planning, with three Olympic hospitality houses secured. Councilmember Ricks-Oddie flagged that the special events team was stretched by World Cup events and urged planning for adequate staffing before the Games.
Ranked choice voting in Long Beach elections
A grassroots coalition wants Long Beach to adopt ranked choice voting via a charter amendment, arguing it would raise turnout, lower barriers for candidates of color and women, and reduce negative campaigning. The commission formed an ad hoc to develop a recommendation for the city council, which must act by late April to place a measure on the November 2026 ballot.
Ranked-choice voting study
An ad hoc committee is gathering balanced information on ranked-choice voting, planning meetings with the League of Women Voters and RCV advocates before forming a commission opinion.
Youth fund sunsetting early
Khmer Girls in Action reported the Children and Youth Fund from Measure US — about $1 million a year — is planned to sunset early due to the city budget deficit, threatening summer programs and youth services.
Measure ER public health funding
The new county sales tax could bring Long Beach $6 million in year one and $7-8 million a year for five years. The plan restores 12 cut positions and keeps clinics, TB prevention, and environmental health programs running as temporary grants expire.
FY 2027 Library budget — ending Monday service at five branches
A non-resident neighbor urged the committee to reconsider proposed cuts to library hours and staffing, calling libraries the last free 'third spaces' for students, job seekers, and seniors.
Public Records Act backlogs and staffing strain
Public records requests keep climbing — 4,072 in 2025 — while a small two-person coordination team closes 95-97% of them. Longer-term fixes include more staffing and possibly AI-assisted redaction tools, still under careful review.
Measure LB power plant tax shortfall
The Measure LB utility tax on power plants is collecting only a couple million dollars versus a projected $15 million; the city auditor is investigating why.
Measure US sunset and youth funding gap
New data shows about 20% fewer disconnected youth (ages 16-24, not in school or work) in Long Beach compared to 2023, but rates remain highest in the Southwest/Port area, where roughly one in four young people are disconnected. Black youth saw their disconnection rate halve to about 10% in 2024.
FY 2027 budget shortfall and parks advocacy
The city faces an estimated $60 million general fund shortfall next year. The parks department's budget presentation is set for August 25, and commissioners asked how best to advocate for parks funding.
City budget deficit grows to $60-80 million
The executive director reported Long Beach's projected budget deficit has ballooned from $15-20 million to $60-80 million for next fiscal year. The workforce network is mostly federally funded, but hiring freezes could affect it and it may prioritize internal city hires.
Oil revenue decline and phase-out
Oil production is dropping 9-10% a year and oil revenue will be phased out of the general fund by FY 2030, hitting the Tidelands Fund hardest. The city is leaning on economic development ('Space Beach'), Measure A, tourism, and the 2028 Olympics to fill the gap.
FY 2026-2027 federal grant action plan (CDBG, HOME, ESG)
The city is starting to build next year's plan for spending federal HUD money on affordable housing, homelessness services, neighborhood improvements, small business support, and fair housing. Residents can shape priorities through a survey open until May 2 and a second hearing June 10. The catch: local grant dollars are expected to shrink even though federal funding stayed flat.
FY 2025 budget shortfall and loan deferral
Property, sales, and utility tax revenues are dropping and federal/state support is shrinking. The city is deferring a $2.4 million loan payment to save $3.2 million, holding positions vacant and delaying expenses to avoid layoffs — for now.
FY 2027 utility rates and budget
The department kicked off its FY 2027 budget process with a focus on affordability, aging infrastructure, inflation, workforce retirements, and LA 28 Olympics prep. Budget workshops are being rebranded as 'budget planning sessions,' and a Prop 218 rate hearing is expected next summer.
Proposed FY 27 parks fee increases
The department wants to raise more than 250 fees by 3.64% and add new ones — including higher youth sports participation fees and a bigger Golden Grove deposit — to keep up with costs amid a $60 million city budget shortfall. The full list goes to a July fee hearing.
Mills Act program applications
Six historic homes are in line for Mills Act contracts, which cut property taxes in exchange for restoration commitments. Fourteen other applicants were turned away, raising fairness questions commissioners want addressed.
City budget shortfall and layoffs
The city faces a budget shortfall and federal funding cuts that have hit the Health Department; LBWIN is providing rapid response services to 13 affected City of Long Beach employees.
FY 2027 utility rate increases (water, gas, sewer)
The board recommended a 6% water increase, 8% sewer increase and 2% gas increase — about $6.33 more per month for a typical single-family home. Water and sewer customers can protest at a Prop 218 hearing August 27; gas rates go straight to the council. Commissioners pressed staff on communicating the real bill impact versus scary-looking percentage increases.
Council Meeting Rules Under Senate Bill 707
A new state law requires the city to offer remote two-way participation, automatic captioning, equal speaking time for remote commenters, and translated agendas starting July 1. The city is also weighing changes to council meeting procedures — more early comment slots, clearer time limits, earlier starts — and asked this commission for input. Commissioners mostly opposed alternate locations, earlier start times, and a third mid-meeting comment period.