Long Beach : Council Should Itemize Its Budget Cuts, Harwood Says

Councilman Warren Harwood does not think Long Beach is using the right methods to cut its budget. Instead of having departments reduce spending by 5%--as ordered by City Manager James C. Hankla--Harwood says the City Council should comb through the budget item by item and make individual cuts as it sees fit.

“What I’m seeking is to look at every department and every program over the next several weeks,” Harwood said.

Harwood also has proposed various ways of increasing city revenue to help avert a possible $10-million budget deficit that is worrying city management. Among his proposals are a tax on the sale of paint to fund graffiti removal, increases in business license fees for rental operations and tax increases on oil pumped within city boundaries.

Mayor Ernie Kell, who is at odds with Harwood, says he knows of no plans to take up Harwood’s suggestions. “I see nothing new in his proposals,” Kell said.