Planning, managing and understanding a city budget can be difficult enough even for the professionals -- just look at the city's struggles to end the 2008 fiscal year Sept. 30 in the black.
So, for all of us lay people, concerned citizens or those that just think, "Well, I'm paying taxes, so I'd like to know how my money is being spent," City Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske has put together a quite useful budget guide on her blog. The guide has links to a couple dozen city documents related to budget matters, from what the mayor's office is spending to how much of your money goes to police. Schipske also lays out her own recommendations for the city to meet its needs as the council begins work on the 2009 budget, and she has the results of a survey she conducted about what the city's budgetary priorities should be.
Once you're schooled on the all things budget, feel free to go by City Hall at 2 p.m. Tuesday, when the council will have a study session to discuss how things are shaping up this budget year and what can be expected in the future.
Don't worry, there won't be a budget test after the meeting. But you will get an "A" for being a civic-minded, involved citizen.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
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