TITLE
Recommendation to request that the resolution establishing the Budget Oversight Committee be amended to require the committee to be constituted as a Committee of the Whole.
DISCUSSION
During this period of severe economic decline affecting our city, the state and nation, the City of Long Beach, as with most government entities, is facing serious budget challenges.
In a December 9, 2008 memo, City Manager Pat West indicated that current estimates project FY 09 General Fund revenue to be down approximately $15.7 million from the adopted budget. The memo suggested that this declines could potentially worsen.
Our budget deficit will significantly impact all city services. Many of the fiscal decisions made by the Council during the coming months will have long-lasting impacts for the City.
The Budget Oversight Committee has served the City Council admirably over the past several years, making many prudent recommendations to the Council during each budget adoption cycle.
However, given the tumultuous budget situation we are currently facing, the entire City Council should be engaged in the discussions about the budget balancing strategies that are implemented.
Therefore, the Budget Oversight Committee of the City Council become a Committee of the Whole to allow full participation by the entire City Council on the critical budgetary issues facing our City for the remainder of this fiscal year and the next fiscal year.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
COUNCILWOMAN RAE GABELICH
EIGHTH DISTRICT
COUNCILWOMAN TONIA REYES URANGA
SEVENTH DISTRICT