Long Beach Board of Utilities Commissioners will host a series of three community budget workshops starting Thursday, May 1, allowing customers to voice their opinions on proposed utility rates.
The workshops will include discussions on proposed water, sewage and gas rates for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, which runs from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026. Utility rates are established on a yearly basis to fund infrastructure, maintenance and operation services to the Long Beach community. New rates are considered to reflect current economic conditions.
“To maintain excellent customer service and to navigate infrastructure, and water and natural gas resource management challenges ahead, Long Beach Utilities is increasing investment in new infrastructure while engaging in the complex process of maintaining existing assets,” says Board President Gina Maguire in a public statement. “We look forward to hearing public input at these budget workshops so that we can plan for a climate-resilient future, together.”
Long Beach ratepayers are invited to give feedback at the public workshops, all of which will take place at the Long Beach Utilities Administration Building (1800 E. Wardlow Road) at 9 a.m. on the following dates:
- Thursday, May 1
- Thursday, May 15
- Thursday, June 12
The Utilities Administration building is located near four Long Beach Transit Bus routes (21, 23, 71 and 131) and free visitor parking will be available. To request language interpretation at the budget workshops, community members are invited to email wa-publicaffairs@lbutilities.org by April 23.
The department budget, with rates taken into account, is expected to be adopted by the Board of Utilities Commissioners at the final public workshop on Thursday, June 12. While meeting attendance is encouraged, comments can also be sent via email to commission@lbutilities.org.
For more information about the proposed FY26 budget, visit lbutilities.org/budget. To learn more about gas, water, or sewer services, income assistance programs, and tools to estimate your bill, visit LBUtilities.org or call 562-570-5700.
