Tonight, City Council voted to approve an agreement with the Firefighters Association and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) which are non-public safety employees, to increase their salaries over a 5 year period.

There was heated debate by Council members and the public — some of whom argued we should not be increasing employee salaries.

This was a tough vote because I am concerned about the future financial situation in our city. But I think we need to keep in mind that the City of Long Beach doesn’t manufacturer “widgets” we provide services — or more accurately we employ men and women to provide those services — services I might add are demanded by our residents.

Salaries and benefits for employees are the largest expenditure of government and unless we are willing to close our doors — these two expenses will always be the largest part of our budget.

I am not naive. I know we need to be careful about how we expend our money  and I do agree that we need to evaluate each and every department and service we provide to determine how we can be more efficient and cost-effective in order to fund these raises.

This vote tonight is not the end of the discussion of this issue. Our Council will have to craft budgets that are balanced and that do not require any additional taxes. That will not be easy. But that is our responsibility.