Protecting jobs, veteran resources, libraries, and getting more funding for the health department and Long Beach Justice Fund were some of the priorities residents and employees shared during this week’s City Council meeting, during which they and the elected officials discussed the proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Councilmembers also shared their initial thoughts on the proposed budget, which Mayor Rex Richardson and City Manager Tom Modica initially shared on July 30.
The proposed $4 billion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year comes with several cuts to programming and staffing to remain fiscally responsible, city officials said. Long Beach continues facing fiscal challenges, including economic uncertainty, federal funding cuts and slow revenue growth.
The city had initially projected a $61.3 million deficit in the budget’s general fund, but that has decreased. The shortfall is now $58.2 million in the FY27 budget, and service reductions have helped the city balance its budget.
Despite the cuts, Richardson said, the proposed budget still reflects the priorities of the City Council and community — and works to restore long-term fiscal stability.
Some residents and city employees, however, said it feels like that’d not the case.
With more than 200 filled positions being cut across several departments, union representatives and members from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union, and the Association of Confidential Employees spoke during public comment on Tuesday, Aug. 4, asking city leaders to protect jobs – especially those that directly serve residents.
“A budget reflects priorities, and this proposal tells the people of Long Beach that the essential services and the employees who provide them are not a priority,” said Kat Kacoullas, a public safety dispatcher for the Fire Department. “Cutting vital public safety resources such as police and fire services will not only impact the safety and well-being of our residents, but also place a greater burden on the employees who remain.”
Health department employees also expressed concerns with the city’s handling of that agency. Long Beach is one of three cities in Los Angeles County with its own health department.
But with federal funding cuts, the health department has lost about $15.6 million. To relieve some of that financial burden, the proposed budget includes eliminating long-vacant positions tied to grant programs that have wound down and about $7-8 million is anticipated from L.A. County Measure ER, according to a recent budget presentation.
Health department employees, however, said the city has not been making the proper investments into the agency in recent years.
“For years, the city has depended on federal grants to fund our health department; grants that are never guaranteed,” said Nadith Schuster, an employee at the Housing Authority and an IAM member. “Yet, the city failed to build a sustainable plan year after year.”
“During the pandemic, it became a national model for testing and vaccinations,” Schuster added. “Today, the same department is being dismantled one program at a time. This is not the result of preparation; it’s the result of years of underinvestment.”
The proposed budget also reduced capacity for the Office of Veteran Affairs. But through his recommendations, the mayor was able to partially restore about $86,000 and a part-time position for the office.
Veteran Commissioner Ken Osborn advocated for the full restoration of the Office of Veteran Affairs, since it supports veterans with resources and initiatives such as the banner program and Veterans Day event.
“I appreciate the mayor bringing us back as a part-time position, but I think we do need the full-time position to support all that we’re doing,” Osborn said. “We’re doing a lot more than we used to and we’ve got a lot more that we could be doing in coordination with the VA.”
Residents and librarians also advocated for programs, services and staff to remain at local libraries. The proposed budget includes returning libraries to five-day service, nixing Monday hours at five branches.
In Richardson’s recommendations, there are some restorations and enhancements to recreation, library and cultural programming after being reduced in the proposed budget. About $50,000 in structural funding in the general fund will be for the Library, Arts and Culture Department to support programming and materials, according to the presentation.
“I go to the studio in the library and I’m just asking you, please don’t cut our hours, and don’t cut our employees,” Emily Quest, a Long Beach resident, said. “My friend is gay and autistic, and he was beaten on the Metro, and he came in and he was able to sit with us in our sewing group, and we all supported him. He doesn’t have a lot of people to talk to.”
Quest brought one of the projects she is working on at the library with her to the council meeting to show city leaders and those in the audience.
“I work on this paper that they give me and I’m making a quilt plan and I draw the drawings out, and I use donated fabric that they give us,” she said. “We’re not asking for a lot. Please leave that space for me to be the grandma for the community.”
Elizabeth Cespuglio, a Long Beach librarian of more than 10 years and an IAM member, also discussed the importance of libraries in the community, such as providing safe spaces, internet access, literacy programs, educational opportunities and connections to critical resources for residents.
“I have dedicated my career to public service because I believe our residents deserve strong, accessible public services,” Cespuglio said. “Today, this budget is deeply personal. My partner and I both live and work for the city, and under the proposed budget, our jobs are at stake. We aren’t the only ones facing this uncertainty. The proposed budget looks to cut over 200 union jobs.
“Behind every one of those positions is a person, a family and years of experience serving the people of Long Beach,” she added. “But this isn’t just about city employees; it’s about our community. I can only speak to my own experiences, but every day I see children, teens, seniors, job seekers and families who depend on our libraries.”
The Long Beach Justice Fund is also a priority for the community as ongoing federal immigration enforcement continues affecting local communities. The Justice Fund is a legal defense fund and program that provides legal help for low-income immigrants at risk of deportation who live or work in Long Beach, according to the city’s website.
The proposed budget would eliminate an analyst in the Office of Equity, resulting in reduced structural support for the Justice Fund, Language Access, and the Equity and Human Relations Commission. In Richardson’s recommendations, the position was able to be preserved, as were about $309,000 in combined structural and one-time general fund dollars, which, when added to current budget allocations, would give the Justice Fund $1 million for the upcoming fiscal year.
“I still want to share what we’re advocating for, which is $3 million for the Justice Fund,” said Denisse Tapia, community organizer for Órale, Long Beach’s immigrant rights organization. “This is not taking into account the fiscal hardships that the city is going through, but I want to share this number because despite what’s happening, our community is still facing threats from ICE and we’re also facing a $64 billion budget going to (the Department of Homeland Security).”
The Justice Fund is an essential resource for many Long Beach residents, Tapia added, and it helps people navigate a system that they may otherwise not be able to.
Councilmembers thanked the public for sharing their thoughts and concerns about the proposed budget. But some of them also acknowledged the hardship that this year’s budget will have on many employees.
“We’ve already seen what a difficult time we’re having, even this month, looking at the impacts on so many of our workers and public servants, as we try to attempt to ensure that we have a level of service,” Eighth District Councilmember Tunua Thrash-Ntuk said. “I really appreciate the thoughtfulness around what the plans have been so far to make sure that we are solving our deficit, replenishing our reserves, and continuing to make progress to make sure that we’re able to attract top talent.”
Second District Councilmember Cindy Allen also said none of the council takes it lightly that many employees have been reassigned or lost their jobs. She also asked questions about ensuring that reductions to the Police Department would not affect any of the city’s preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. More about the Police Department’s proposed budget will be shared during the Tuesday, Aug. 11, council meeting, Modica said.
Councilmembers are also looking forward to hearing more about the traffic safety investments the proposed budget has. There will be a new Traffic Safety Division that consolidates the city’s approach to traffic calming and installing automated speed enforcement, according to the presentation.
“I’m excited to hear about the Traffic Safety Division; I think that’s a huge win,” Allen said. “We’ve heard that’s one of our biggest issues that I continue to hear is traffic safety and making sure that we can meet our Vision Zero goals.”
Third District Councilmember Kristina Duggan said her greatest concern is the proposed reduction in public services – such as eliminating Fire Engine 14 and reducing structural police overtime funding. She also brought up a concern about using tideland funds to pay for the proposed Tidelands Patrol.
“These are the core responsibilities of our city and they were consistently identified as priorities through the city’s community budget process,” Duggan said. “I do understand that we have to close a $58.2 million structural deficit and that difficult decisions have to be made; however, I’m also concerned that we’re continuing to reduce investment in the basic services residents rely on every single day.”
Long Beach residents still have many opportunities to share their thoughts about the proposed FY27 budget. The city will host community meetings from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at Renaissance High School and Thursday, Aug. 13, at LBCC’s Liberal Arts Campus. Residents can also comment during upcoming Budget Oversight Committee and City Council meetings.