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Mayor Richardson presents balanced budget proposal, cites $32.5 million deficit reduction and shelter opening
Summary
Mayor Richardson told the Long Beach City Council the cityhas reduced a structural deficit from $89.8 million to $57.3 million without raising residentstaxes and announced the city will open a youth navigation center and shelter this week as part of a new budget focused on core services and economic growth.
Mayor Richardson presented a balanced budget proposal to the Long Beach City Council, saying the city had reduced a structural deficit from $89,800,000 to $57,300,000 and will open a youth navigation center and shelter this week.
Richardson said the deficit decline was achieved "without raising taxes on residents" and credited voter approval of Measure LB and recent administrative reforms, which he described as helping bring in "new reliable ongoing revenue." He also said the city passed "Measure JB," which he characterized as consolidating civil service and human resources functions.
The mayor framed the budget around four priorities and front‑loaded core services. "First, continuing our focus on providing core city services and improving the delivery of core city services and engaging our community as a part of it," he said. He named economic growth as a second priority and cited the city's "Grow Long Beach" initiative as a post‑pandemic economic strategy.
Richardson reported declines in some crime categories, saying commercial burglary was down 34.5% and property damage was down 25%, and he thanked the Long Beach Police Department and community partners. He also said Ford Motor Company had returned to the city and that the company would employ "hundreds of engineers designing the future of electric vehicles." Richardson attributed those developments to the city's investment strategy.
On homelessness and shelter services, Richardson said the city is on track to expand shelter and services and that the youth navigation center and shelter would open this week. He described Measure JB as helping the city better coordinate staffing and services to support that work.
Richardson concluded by saying the city would begin its budget process; the excerpt does not include a formal vote, council action, or a council timeline for adoption.
Context: Remarks occurred after the public comment period during a presentation on the proposed budget. The transcript excerpt attributes the statements to "Mayor Richardson." The excerpt does not include detailed line items, full listing of the four priorities by name, nor a council vote on the proposal.
