The City of Long Beach is proposing hundreds of job cuts as it works to close a multi-million-dollar budget deficit. City officials say more than 260 employees could be laid off, while another 200-plus vacant positions may be eliminated as part of the cost-saving plan. Jobs potentially affected include fire captains, librarians, crossing guards, and employees in police and homeless services. The proposed reductions come as Long Beach prepares a $4 billion budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year while facing a projected $58 million shortfall. Officials say the cuts are intended to balance the budget without relying on unsustainable spending. If approved, the layoffs would affect about four percent of the city’s nearly 6,000 employees. In addition to staffing reductions, city leaders are considering cuts to library services, park programs, and operations at the city’s homeless services hub. Budget discussions will continue before the spending plan is finalized later this year.
