Long Beach to Override Tax Cap

The Long Beach City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to hold a required public hearing to override the state’s newly imposed 2 percent tax cap.

The city’s proposed 2012-13 budget projects a 4.1 percent increase to the tax levy – the amount of money raised by property taxes – and a $3.3 million annual payment for three years to pay down a $10.2 million deficit would add a temporary 11.9 percent tax increase for three years, two taxes of which are expected to increase Long Beach taxes approximately $430 to $2,904 for the average home owner next year, according to Newsday. City Manager Jack Schnirman said about the plan:

"You've got to take your medicine."

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the override plan at its budget meeting on May 15 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.