Introduction to the LA City Council Budget
The Los Angeles City Council approved a revised budget that slashes proposed layoffs by more than half but also scales back funding for public safety, as the city grapples with a $1 billion budget deficit. The final vote, which came late afternoon after almost an entire day of discussion, was 12-3, with Councilmembers Traci Park, John Lee, and Monica Rodriguez opposed.
The Revised Budget
A major focus of the debate ahead of the final vote centered on cuts to public safety, which the three dissenting members argued would undermine emergency services. The revised FY 25-26 budget reduces layoffs in Mayor Bass’ proposed spending plan from 1,647 to about 600. It restores 133 of the 400 civilian LAPD positions that were facing elimination–including those who process DNA rape kits, perform fingerprint and crime scene analysis– and preserves all 62 filled positions in the Animal Services Department.
Public Safety Funding
The budget also establishes a new Bureau for Homelessness Oversight — part of the city’s response to the potential dismantling of LAHSA and growing concerns about transparency in homelessness spending, following the county’s withdrawal of funding from the joint city-county program. But the council also trimmed the Fire Department’s proposed funding increase and cut planned LAPD officer hiring, from 480 to 240. The budget now heads to the mayor’s desk for final approval.
Council Members’ Reactions
“Before us is a revised budget proposal that’s balanced. It protects core city services from being decimated, and it keeps 1,000 city employees in their jobs serving the people of Los Angeles,” said Councilmember Katy Yaroslavksy, chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, which crafted the recommended changes. “This is the most serious budget crisis the city has seen in nearly two decades.” Councilmember Traci Park, who represents the Pacific Palisades, the area hardest hit by the January wildfires in the city, said she could not support a budget that rolls back critical investments in fire services.
Causes of the Deficit
The city’s nearly $1 billion deficit is driven by record-level liability payouts, rising labor costs, slower-than-expected revenue, as well as overspending. In April, Mayor Bass proposed a $13.95 billion budget that would eliminate 1,647 filled positions. Those cuts, along with new revenue sources, were expected to reduce the deficit to about $800 million. The mayor’s proposal included funding reductions in departments like planning, transportation, sanitation, and animal services.
Homelessness Oversight Bureau
Another huge area of debate was the creation of a new homelessness oversight bureau within the Housing Department, which aims to centralize management and improve accountability for the city’s homelessness response. Opponents argued the move was a significant policy shift that didn’t belong in a budget process, supporters, however, defended the move as a cost-neutral consolidation aimed at improving coordination and oversight.
Restored Services
The Department of Animal Services, which faced the potential closure of half the city’s animal shelters and the loss of 62 filled and 60 vacant positions, will receive $5 million from the unappropriated balance to restore filled positions and maintain current service levels across all six city-operated shelters. Other restored services include staffing in transportation, city planning, and sanitation, as well as funding to resume tree trimming, repair sidewalks and streetlights, and improve street safety.
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Conclusion
The revised budget approved by the LA City Council is a step towards addressing the city’s $1 billion deficit, but it comes with significant cuts to public safety funding. The reduction in layoffs and restoration of some services are positive steps, but the impact of the budget on emergency services and the city’s ability to respond to major emergencies remains a concern.
FAQs
- What is the main reason for the LA City Council’s budget deficit?
The city’s nearly $1 billion deficit is driven by record-level liability payouts, rising labor costs, slower-than-expected revenue, as well as overspending. - How many layoffs were initially proposed in the Mayor’s budget?
The Mayor’s proposed budget would eliminate 1,647 filled positions. - What is the new Bureau for Homelessness Oversight?
The new Bureau for Homelessness Oversight is a cost-neutral consolidation aimed at improving coordination and oversight of the city’s homelessness response. - How many filled positions in the Animal Services Department were preserved?
All 62 filled positions in the Animal Services Department were preserved.
