[ Commissioners Approve $493 Million Budget ]

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners on Monday, July 19, voted
unanimously to adopt a $493 million budget for the 1999-2000 fiscal year
beginning on Oct. 1. With trans-Pacific trade continuing to goar, the
commission set aside more than half of the Port of Long Beach budget for
construction projects aimed at keeping pace with cargo growth. Long
Beach is the nation's busiest container port.

The 1999-2000 spending plan includes $292.7 million capital outlays-the
largest expenditure being $183.8 million for the next phase of a
container terminal project begun last year at the former Long Beach Naval
Station.

Port operating revenues for 1999-2000 are expected to increase 7
percent to $201.1 million, with revenues from shipping terminals
projected to climb 9 percent to $185.5 million. The increase is expected
to come in part because of the move of Zim-American Israel Shipping Co.
Inc. to Pacific Container Terminal's new Pier C facility.

Although a public agency, the port is not supported by taxpayers. The
port generates revenues by leasing shipping terminals.

With a new fire department planned for the former naval complex, the
commission increased the budget for operating expenditures by 4 percent
to $ 164 million.

The commission also plans to increase employment slightly for the
Harbor Department with staffing of 345 full and par-time workers,
compared with last year's budget total of 339 workers.

The port operates as a department of the City of Long Beach. The port
budget next goes to the City Council for its concurrence. The council is
expected to hold hearings on the various city budgets between mid-August
and the end of September.