City Hall used one-time reserves to postpone cuts as the FY 2027 gap grew to $58.2 million
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson unveiled a proposed $4 billion budget Thursday in Long Beach that would eliminate a net 413 city positions, shut down a fire engine and reduce library, youth and homelessness services to close a $58.2 million deficit after City Hall used reserves to postpone cuts.
Richardson acknowledged the strategy during the budget presentation.
“We strategically leveraged the one-time reserves instead of cutting,” Richardson said.
The city manager’s original proposal eliminated 483 positions, including 263 filled jobs and 220 vacancies. Richardson restored 70 positions, but the resulting plan still eliminates 413 roles and could leave roughly 180 employees without jobs after transfers, attrition and civil service reassignment rules.
The city’s budget documents show the projected deficit grew 48% from $39.3 million last fall to $58.2 million. Long Beach used $7.8 million, or 43%, of its operating reserve after fiscal year 2025 and expects another significant draw from operating and emergency reserves this year.
Proposed cuts include eliminating Fire Engine 14, 17 vacant patrol officer positions, 18 police investigators and $2.68 million in police overtime. Five libraries would lose Monday service, while teen programming at Chavez Park, summer swimming classes and several homeless outreach services would be reduced or eliminated.
Richardson’s recommendations preserved an Office of Equity position overseeing the city’s deportation defense fund and proposed adding money to the account, which currently holds $548,000, according to the Long Beach Post.
IAM Local 1930 representative Sashi Muralidharan said the union would seek alternatives to layoffs.
“We work with the city to find alternatives to layoffs, and we mobilize the members, and we try to mobilize the residents,” Muralidharan said.
Richardson maintained that the proposal protected the city’s priorities despite the reductions.
“This budget seeks to protect Long Beach’s future while continuing to invest in the services our residents rely on every day,” Richardson said.
The City Council began budget hearings Tuesday and is scheduled to consider adoption in September.
