Company Profile
City of Long Beach
Company Overview
Ideally located on the Pacific Ocean south of Los Angeles, adjacent to Orange County, the City of Long Beach, California (population 490,566) is frequently described as a series of strong, diverse interwoven smaller communities within a large city. Enjoying an ideal Southern California climate, Long Beach is home to an abundance of cultural and recreational options. The Long Beach Convention Center, Aquarium of the Pacific, Queen Mary and the annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, plus a wide variety of other attractions (two historic ranchos, three marinas, and five golf courses), serve to draw 5.5 million visitors a year. The City is also home to California State University, Long Beach and Long Beach City College. Cal State Long Beach is the second-largest university in the state and was recently ranked the No. 3 best-value public college in the nation. Serving the K-12 student population, the Long Beach Unified School District consistently ranks among the Top 10 urban school districts in the country. Covering approximately 50 square miles, Long Beach is supported by a wide mix of industries with education, health, and social services, manufacturing, retail trade, and professional services comprising the highest representation. Known for its livable and desirable neighborhoods, America's Promise Alliance named Long Beach as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People two years in a row. While it offers all the amenities of a large metropolis, many say Long Beach has the added benefit of having maintained a strong sense of community and cohesiveness despite its growth. Long Beach is the seventh-largest city in California and has been referred to as the "most diverse city" in the country by USA Today. A superb climate, quality schools, a vibrant downtown, and a wide variety of neighborhoods help make Long Beach one of the most livable communities in the country.
Long Beach is a full-service Charter City governed by nine City Council members who are elected by district. The Mayor is elected at-large. Elected officials also include the City Attorney, City Auditor, and City Prosecutor. Elected officials are subject to a two-term limit, which allows them to serve for a maximum of eight years. The City Council appoints a City Manager to oversee the administration of all City departments, excluding those under the direction of a separately elected official, Board or Commission. In addition to its traditional services, Long Beach maintains one of the world's busiest seaports, which serves as a leading gateway for international trade. The City also has its own full-service commercial airport and is one of only three cities in California with its own Health and Gas & Oil Departments. Long Beach is supported by a total FY19 budget of approximately $3.0 billion, with the General Fund budget totaling $499 million. More than 5,900 full and part-time employees support municipal operations with the majority being represented by nine unions.