What do you know
Mayor Karen Bass was released for the proposed Los Angeles City Budget 2025-2026. The Los Angeles spending plan includes more than 1,600 layoffs and other efforts to reduce the $1 billion deficit. The budget plan requires approval from the city council, which plans to consider the $13.9 billion spending plan for June.
A quarter of city employees fired under Mayor Karen Bass’ budget are private employees at the Los Angeles Police Department.
Although the layoffs do not include sworn officers, some members of the Los Angeles City Council said layoffs for private employees were devastating to public safety. They are scheduled to insist on the public on Wednesday at a noon press conference.
Layoffs affect the position of 403 civilians within the LAPD.
“The harsh reality here is that we are already in the midst of a public safety crisis in Los Angeles,” said Councilman Traci Park. “If these civilians are lost, what that means is that police officers will be pulled away from the streets to cover the work that should be done by civilians (employees).”
Private employee positions within LAPD include forensic scientists, ballistics experts, crime scene photographers, cybersecurity technicians and people in the communications department. Park said layoffs are at a critical time for Los Angeles.
“We cannot continue to prepare for major world events like the World Cup next year, then the Super Bowl after that, and the World Cup like the 2028 Olympics.
City officials are calling for the possibility that city employees could delay pay increases to reduce costs. Conan Nolan is reporting NBC4 News on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 6pm.
The park will be joined by councillors John Lee and Tim Makosker and representatives from the Los Angeles Police Union at a press conference Wednesday.
Bass announced its spending plan for the city of Los Angeles earlier this month. This includes more than 1,600 layoffs, budget cuts, growth, city sector consolidation, and other efforts facing a nearly $1 billion deficit.
The 2025-2026 fiscal year was announced in a city speech within Los Angeles City Hall after the mayor addressed the wide range of challenges facing Los Angeles, including Los Angeles. The budget plan requires approval from the city council, which plans to consider the $13.9 billion spending plan for June.
The Los Angeles Police Department will receive a $6.1 million increase in its operational budget of nearly $2 billion. The city will hold about 20% (120 people) compared to 2024.
🚨 Mayor’s proposal budget🚨
Layoffs for employees in 1,647 cities
Layoffs for the top 5 divisions:
•LAPD-Civilians: 403
• Transport: 262
•Hygiene: 159
• Street service: 130
•Plan: 114
why?
Record-Record-Level Liability Payouts
Payroll salary costs increase
Inverly revenue shortage pic.twitter.com/wy7bubixwr
– LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia (@lacontroller) April 21, 2025
The proposal will increase by 8.2% in the 2024-2025 urban budget.
Other departments affected by the layoffs include transport (262), sanitation (159), street services (130), and planning (114), according to the City of Los Angeles controller.
The numbers and proposals presented may change as budget debates continue ahead of the start of the next budget year in July.
Several departments will be consolidated under the proposal.
How did you get here?
In March, a top Financial City advisor told elected officials that the city’s tough outlook for 2025-26 requires a tough decision, which could lead to thousands of layoffs. Bass has directed the city’s chief administrative officer to report to her with strategies that significantly reduce spending while protecting essential services.
Bass said her 2025-2026 budget proposal “will bring about a fundamental change in the way cities operate.”
The city’s financial crisis has been exacerbated by wildfires in the Pacific Palisades, which also affected property taxes and other tax revenues. Additionally, the city is suffering from payments for liability tripled this year.
Federal trade and immigration policies have caused problems for LA tourism, city officials say.
The labor contract with the Los Angeles Police Department and city employees of the union (each reaching $1 billion at the end of fiscal year 2028/29) contribute to the city’s financial concerns. The contract has been approved over the past two years, but city officials said it is necessary to ensure workers are compensated at fair and competitive rates.
100 days after the Palisade fire, La Mayor Karen Bass said the state was on track for the fastest wildfire recovery in state history. Karma Dickerson reports NBC4 News on Thursday, April 17th, 2025 at 5pm.
As elected officials consider ways to increase revenue, some options could lead to increased taxpayer taxes, fees and other expenses. The city is also considering bond measures to create revenue streams for specific needs, such as fire department maintenance and construction.
The city council recently approved a plan to raise waste collection fees, the first first-ever adjustment in 17 years. The elected officials hope to launch new fees by January 2026, but further approval is required before enacting fee changes.
