Hermosa Beach Mayor Expresses Gratitude For Coronavirus Relief Measure Funds That Will Help Make Up For Pandemic Revenue Losses

Press release from the City of Hermosa Beach:

March 11, 2021

HERMOSA BEACH, CA – Hermosa Beach Mayor Justin Massey issued the following statement today regarding the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief measure that the U.S. Congress sent to President Joe Biden on Wednesday for his signature.

“I thank our nation’s leaders for passing the American Rescue Plan that, among other important measures, provides an estimated $3.9 million to help the City of Hermosa Beach make up for the significant loss in revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds will help the City continue to provide essential services as our economy begins to recover from the pandemic. On behalf of the City Council, I thank City Staff for its hard work keeping the City working amid this past year’s significant challenges, and I thank our residents, businesses and community partners for their steadfast resilience.”

The City of Hermosa Beach faced significant and unanticipated revenue shortfalls, beginning in March 2020, when the State of California first imposed restrictions on local business activities to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus. City Staff and the City Council created a balanced budget by holding a number of key positions vacant and reducing other expenses. The City avoided any layoffs, major program reductions, tax increases or withdrawals from its rainy day fund. But retirements and other departures from the City Staff, along with increased needs for City services during the pandemic, have placed significant strains on the City’s workforce and budget.

This press release was produced by the City of Hermosa Beach. The views expressed are the author's own.