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Seal Beach staff outlines revenue mix, timeline as city prepares June budget adoption
Summary
A city staff presenter described Seal Beach’s fiscal-year budget process, revenue breakdown and priority services, urging public engagement ahead of the City Council’s June adoption.
Staff member (Presenter) summarized the City of Seal Beach’s budget process and revenue mix in a prepared presentation, saying, "A budget is a plan for how to spend money wisely, whether it's for everyday expenses, saving for a rainy day, or that special family trip." The presentation described how revenue supports police, fire, public works, parks and capital projects and urged residents to participate in hearings.
The presenter said the city’s discretionary revenue is largely from property taxes, noting that "only 15¢ of every property tax dollar goes to the city," which the presentation said makes up about 35% of Seal Beach’s discretionary budget. Sales tax currently accounts for 27% of discretionary revenue, and utility users' taxes account for 11%. Other revenues — fees, permits, transient occupancy tax and services — were described as making up the remaining 27%. The presenter also said that beginning in April the city will "receive 2.5% of the total sales tax collected from transactions in the city."
The presenter reviewed timing and process: the city’s fiscal year runs July 1 to June 30, budget planning begins in December when departments prepare requests, and the City Council adopts the budget each June. The presentation cautioned that the city’s revenue mix is limited and that expenditures can outpace revenue, requiring staff to consider adjustments, postponements or cancellations of some projects to maintain essential services.
Examples of services and capital improvements mentioned included police and community policing, fire and emergency medical services, marine and beach safety, utility services, public works (streets, water, sewer, storm drains), parks and facilities, and capital projects such as pier restrooms, tennis and pickleball center renovations, and street repaving. The presenter encouraged community engagement, saying residents are encouraged to attend public hearings, contact elected officials and share feedback online as the city develops its budget.
The presentation closed with directions for further information and contact: "To learn more about the city's budget and how we're planning for Seal Beach's future, visit www.sealbeachca.gov or email us at budget@sealbeachca.gov."
