Eighth District Councilmember Al Austin will host a community budget meeting to inform residents about the proposed cuts to the City of Long Beach’s critical services, including police, fire, parks and libraries.
The meeting will take place on Monday, Aug. 27 at 6:30pm at the Expo Arts Center, 4321 Atlantic Ave.
The proposed City budget for Fiscal Year 2013, released by Mayor Bob Foster and City Manager Patrick West at the beginning of August, proposed to cut $17.2 million in services in the next year.
“I don’t believe this proposed budget reflects the values and priorities of this City,” Austin said. “Now is the time for residents to get informed about what is being proposed for our City and to speak up.”
These proposed cuts include eliminating 40 sworn police officer positions, including half of the gang enforcement detail, as well as the crime analyst and police services specialist positions in each of the patrol divisions.
The fire department is proposing to take one fire engine out of service in the city and change the model for paramedic response.
Youth sports and after-school programs are proposed to be eliminated at 14 parks throughout the city, including at Cherry, Davenport and DeForest parks. The swimming pool at Will J. Reid Park would be closed during the summer, and the adaptive recreation program would also be eliminated.
Six neighborhood branch libraries are also proposed to be converted to “self-service” facilities, with no programs offered at those branches.
Austin will have representatives from the city manager’s office, police, fire, parks and recreation, library services and financial management on hand at the meeting to discuss the budget and answer questions.
For more information, contact Austin’s office at (562) 570-6685 or at district8@longbeach.gov .
