Elections 2022: Long Beach voters to decide whether to combine utility departments
Long Beach voters will soon decide whether the city should put its water and natural gas utilities under one manager, and have a semi-independent commission oversee the operation. Measure BB is a charter amendment that, if it passes during the Nov. 8 election, would move the natural gas operation under the Water Department, creating a Public Utilities Department. The existing Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners — mandated by the City Charter — would become the Board of Public Utility Commissioners, and would have responsibility for budget approval and other policies, with the City Council still able to override those decisions.