Tight budget getting tighter, Hermosa Beach finance director tells council
by Kevin Cody Hermosa Beach Finance Director Viki Copeland presented what she described as a “tightly balanced” budget to the City Council at its Tuesday, June 11 meeting. General fund revenue for 2024-25 is projected to be $54.3 million, up three percent from the preceding fiscal year. Expenditures are projected to be $52.8 million, up four percent from the preceding fiscal year. Over the past three years, Copeland said in her report to the council, the city has balanced similarly tight budgets with $4.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The coming year’s balance budget was achieved despite not having ARPA funds, and without reliance on contingency, or “rainy day,” funds. The council was unanimous in its praise for Copeland, City Manager Suja Lowenthal and the city staff for their work on the budget, which they unanimously approved. But Copeland projected the budget will become tighter in coming years unless the city increases revenue. “Fiscal year 2025-26 has a shortfall of $144,726. The shortfall in 2029-30 would be significant, at $3.6 million.” “…avoiding a deficit in two years will be challenging with Los Angeles County Fire negotiations, labor negotiations…
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