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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
General aviation landing fees at Long Beach Airport
Residents and some commissioners want the airport to charge general aviation landing fees, arguing airlines pay about $744 per landing while GA pays nothing despite flying 91% of operations. Staff says the current structure is federally compliant, fees can't target noise, and a study would take 6-12 months. An ad hoc committee may be formed next month.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.