City of Seal Beach Community Meetings

On July 22, the Seal Beach City Council unanimously voted to place a funding measure on the Nov. 5 ballot in a bid to save city services from looming budget cuts. If approved by Seal Beach voters, the measure would establish a one-half cent sales (transaction) and use tax in the City of Seal Beach. The sales tax would be equivalent to 50 cents per $100 spent.

City staff will discuss the measure and more details about the coming municipal election in a series of community meetings. The next community meetings are on Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. in the Marina Park Community Center, and on Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. at the Seal Beach Tennis and Pickleball Center.

Several months of community discussion and independently commissioned community survey revealed up to 71% of residents support creating additional local funds to provide city services.

“Residents have expressed a strong interest in maintaining quality of life in Seal Beach,” said City Manager Jill Ingram. “Funds are needed to maintain fire protection, paramedic services, and police response; helping prevent property crimes and retail thefts; and keeping public areas and beaches clean and safe.”

“Most of the calls to Orange County Fire Authority are related to medical emergencies,” continued Ingram. “The City needs a reliable source of local funds for firefighters, paramedics, and lifesaving equipment.”

According to the city’s website, Seal Beach faces “significant financial challenges” this year, “giving the City no choice but to make severe cuts in funding for fire and police protection, pothole repairs, park maintenance, beach protection and other essential City services if additional funding is not identified.”

LW residents can weigh in on the discussion by filling out an online survey available at https:// www.sealbeachca.gov/Whats-on-Your-Mind-Seal-Beach.