Dear Friend --

Last night the City Council adopted our $2.8 billion 2020 budget. Like every budget I’ve signed as Mayor, it is balanced and responsible. It will continue the improvements happening around Long Beach, with key investments in public safety, infrastructure repair and other critical services.

Included in the budget is the restoration of Engine 17 in East Long Beach and the rebuild of Fire Station 9 in the Los Cerritos/Bixby Knolls neighborhood. The temporary loss of these resources was a major concern for residents, and I’m glad these investments will improve already good response times across the city.

We are also working to repair our aging streets and infrastructure. The 2020 Infrastructure Improvement Program totals more than $110 million including almost $20 million from Measure A funds.

This budget also means Long Beach remains a leader in our coordinated approach to addressing homelessness, continuing existing services and strengthening the City’s commitment to ending homelessness with more than $30 million to combat our housing crisis. That includes funds to support rapid response, cleanup, outreach efforts, construction of a 125-bed permanent bridge housing campus in North Long Beach, and preservation or construction of 650 new affordable housing units. It also includes support for continued work on policies like inclusionary housing, safe parking, and our jobs program for people experiencing homelessness.

I’m also especially excited about the launch of Promise Pass, a new program to provide free and discounted transit passes to our CSULB and LBCC students.

There’s much more in this budget, including support for economic development and small businesses, planting trees, and improving historic districts.

My thanks to the Council for working long and hard to adopt a balanced budget that supports crucial city services. I especially want to thank the members of the Budget Oversight Committee, Chair Stacy Mungo, Vice Chair Suzie Price and Al Austin.

Our city’s budget represents the values of our community, and this budget shows Long Beach values public safety, progress, compassion, and fiscal responsibility. 2020 is going to be a great year for our city.

Go Long Beach!

Mayor Robert Garcia