Long Beach council authorizes up to $25.99 million in bonding for capital projects; vote 4-1

The Long Beach City Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance authorizing the city to seek financing for capital projects with an estimated total cost of $25,993,400, authorizing up to $17,400,000 in new bond issuances tied to the capital plan and related prior authorizations.

Comptroller Ina Resnick, the city’s controller, told the council the ordinance would authorize $12,900,000 for general-fund projects and $4,500,000 for water and sewer projects and described the City’s plan as a “worst-case scenario” that assumes converting short-term borrowing to long-term bonds while awaiting grant reimbursements. “We do not anticipate immediate property tax increases,” Resnick said, but she warned that the debt service could affect the city later if the full authorization were converted to long-term borrowing.

The ordinance covers a wide array of projects already approved in the May 2025 capital plan, including $2,350,000 for road reconstruction and overlays, roughly $3,000,000 for public-safety equipment and renovations, $3,810,000 for building repairs and HVAC work at the Magnolia Center, water system upgrades, a turf field replacement, vehicle replacements and smaller equipment needs. Ken Arnold of public works summarized items for streets, buildings, parks, lifeguard and public-works equipment and noted coordination with utilities for road projects.

Councilors and the public pressed several cost and priority questions during the hearing. Council member John (last name recorded in transcript as Bendo) said the city must “bend and flatten the debt curve.” Council member Lester said the authorization is a necessary first step to access bonding and that detailed procurement will follow.

Residents urged caution on the size and timing of borrowing. Eileen Hesch told the council “we’re broke” and urged the council to pare back projects, particularly boardwalk enhancements. Another resident, Frank Sabrina, questioned why a city that reports roughly $120 million in annual revenue must keep borrowing and asked administrators to justify vehicle and other large purchases.

Officials said much of the borrowing may be reimbursed by state and federal grants as projects are completed. Resnick noted the city anticipates more than $3,000,000 in grant reimbursements tied to the projects in the ordinance; the slide presented assumed borrowing half the total in September and half in February as a “worst-case” funding schedule. City staff also said specific projects will return to the council for separate procurement approvals and that the ordinance is an authorization to market debt rather than an instruction to spend every line item immediately.

During discussion councilors repeatedly raised the tradeoff between necessary maintenance and long-term debt. Ken Arnold argued some items—such as HVAC replacement at Magnolia and other building repairs—are costlier to defer. Public commenters said projects that drive revenue (boardwalk concessions, beach-related amenities) are more defensible; others urged sharper spending restraint to avoid future tax pressure.

On a roll-call vote the council approved the ordinance, 4-1. Council member Bendo voted no; Council members Lester, Reinhart, Vice President Fiamara and President Finn voted yes.

The ordinance now becomes subject to the 30-day delay required for issuing municipal debt under New York State procedural rules before the city may sell securities; staff said borrowing timing will depend on market conditions and grant reimbursements.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance authorizing financing for various capital projects — Estimated total cost $25,993,400; bond authorization requested $17,400,000; council vote 4–1 (Bendo no).