safety
Long Beach uses millions from emergency reserves, braces for ‘difficult changes’ ahead
By John Donegan | Long Beach Post at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· July 19, 2026
· 4 min read
The city of Long Beach will pull $27 million from its reserve accounts. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)The city of Long Beach plans to dip into its emergency reserves to balance its books this year as lagging tax revenue and rising expenses worsen its financial position ah...
Key takeaway The city says it will pull $27 million from a total of four reserve accounts, exhausting its operating reserves and taking out $16.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The city of Long Beach's decision to tap into its emergency reserves to balance its budget has significant implications for the community. With a projected shortfall of $21 million in revenues and $20.8 million in expenses, the city's financial struggles may impact local services and public safety. The decline in utility tax revenue, airport revenue, and Measure LB tax revenue suggests that the city's economic growth is slowing down. Furthermore, the Health Department's need for an $11 million bailout from the general fund raises concerns about the city's ability to provide essential services to its residents. As the city braces for "difficult changes" ahead, residents should be prepared for potential cuts to services or increases in taxes to offset the financial shortfall. The city's labor agreements and hiring push, while beneficial for public safety, have added to the financial strain, making it essential for city administrators to find a sustainable solution to balance the budget and ensure the long-term financial stability of Long Beach.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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What is this story about? The city of Long Beach will pull $27 million from its reserve accounts. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)The city of Long Beach plans to dip into its emergency reserves to balance its books this year as lagging tax revenue and rising expenses worsen its financial position ah...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by John Donegan | Long Beach Post at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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