Long Beach Faces Potential Layoffs Amid $58 Million Budget Shortfall
Long Beach is confronting a significant budget shortfall of $58 million for the upcoming fiscal year, prompting city officials to propose layoffs and cuts across various departments. The budget proposal, released by City Manager Tom Modica, suggests laying off more than 260 city employees and eliminating over 200 vacant positions. These cuts would affect departments including fire, police, and homeless services. The proposed $4 billion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year includes some new spending initiatives, such as a High Crime Focus Team and investments in the police crime lab. However, the cuts are necessary due to rising personnel costs, legal payouts, and a slowdown in the local economy. The city has already exhausted its reserves to cover previous shortfalls, making further cuts unavoidable.