By:Doug Miller
The city grossed $341,549 in beach pass sales and other revenues just from July 1 through July 11, getting the fiscal year off to a huge start in its first 11 days. With nearly 50 beach days remaining this year and looking ahead to May and June of 2005, the city should exceed the revenue of $1.45 million projected in the budget. All beach revenue goes into the city's general fund.
In the weeks that ended the last fiscal year, from Memorial Day to June 30, the city grossed $757,222.
"I'm very hopeful we'll have the best year ever - we deserve it after last year," said Long Beach City Councilwoman Mona Goodman. "This goes a long way to helping all residents."
The 2003-04 budget, which ran through June 30, projected beach park revenue of $1.6 million, which was based on the most profitable year in the city's history, 2001, according to Comptroller Alice Schildkraut, who is enjoying her first Long Beach summer. When members of the new administration came in and saw that number, they made mental notes to expect a shortfall in that area. "I was told we were projecting a $500,000 deficit, and now that's gone," said City Manager Glen Spiritis. In fact, the city exceeded the projected total of $1.6 million by about $75,000.
"This year we were more reasonable in our budgeting," Schildkraut said. "We estimated the revenue at $1.45 million, because in doing budgets you can't predict the weather."
Last weekend the city took a hit because Sunday was overcast and cool. Still, city officials estimated the take at about $50,000 for the two days.
The city has experienced a slight shortfall in the revenue it takes in from its partnership with the Long Island Rail Road. The railroad sells beach passes with discounted train tickets from Manhattan, which the city relies on for tourism. The 2003-04 budget estimated revenues of $250,000, but the final number was closer to $214,000.
Aside from that, this year has been big for everyone, as the thousands who come to the beach can also be counted on to buy wraps at Duke Falcon's, heroes at Zamboni's, chicken parms at Gino's or, if they bring a change of clothes, swordfish and martinis at Corbin & Reynolds.
Goodman said she will be on vacation next week, but will be spending her time off in Long Beach. "Why would I go anywhere else?" she said.
