Long Beach auditor finds city under-collected at least $22 million by failing to adjust development impact fees for inflation for decades

A September 2025 performance audit by Long Beach City Auditor Laura Doud found the city failed to adjust development impact fees for police, fire, parks and transportation for inflation for as long as 35 years -- the transportation fee unchanged for 35 years, fire and police fees since 2007, and parks fees since 2011 -- for an estimated minimum $22 million revenue loss between fiscal years 2019 and 2024. Community Development Director Christopher Koontz and Financial Management Director Kevin Riper disputed the audit's methodology, estimating the loss closer to $2-6 million and arguing fees were intentionally kept low to encourage affordable housing.