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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has signed a budget of approximately $14 billion for the 2025-26 fiscal year, the mayor’s office announced Saturday.
Bass sang plans on spending on Friday.
The mayor also announced that he has secured an agreement with city council leaders to restore employment levels at the Los Angeles Police Department. Council leadership will identify additional 240 recruits funding within 90 days that will be used after LAPD completes employment of 240 officers, Bass’ office said.
“This budget is being delivered under extremely difficult conditions, including uncertainty from Washington, explosion of liability payments, unexpected rises in costs and lower than expected revenue,” Bass said in a statement. “This budget continues to actively fight the homeless crisis and invest in critical urban services such as emergency response, street repairs, parks and libraries. We would like to thank you for working with us to make Los Angeles safe for everyone and helping us with this agreement.”
The spending plan has appeared alongside the city facing a deficit of around $1 billion next year. The council last week gave its second final approval of the budget. This was sent to the base to approve or reject the plan. Address financial constraints and reduce proposed layoffs in early drafts.
Bass promoted the following features of the budget, which she called “balance.”
The recovery of positions in more than 1,000 cities at risk of layoffs is to ensure the provision of critical services such as positions supporting pothole repairs, traffic management, and future housing developments. New investments in the Los Angeles Fire Department, more positions, more paramedics and other resources. All sworn officers and firefighters are funded. Continued funds for 911 emergency dispatchers to reduce their waiting time. Protecting homeless fundraising. Resources to continue recovery from Palisade fires. The library, recreation and park facilities are maintained time. Supports capital infrastructure projects, including the LA Convention Centre, the improvements to the Sepulveda Basin, San Fernando Valley and recreational facilities in South LA. All positions saved for the Emergency Management Department have priorities for expanding with future funding. Continuing funding was provided by representatives to provide legal representation to Angelenos. Funds to keep all animal shelters open and add strategic additional staff support.
“This is one of the most difficult budgets we’ve faced,” said the president of the Marquesch-Harris Dawson Council. “The budget approved today is responsible for and responds to the challenges our cities face. There was a healthy discussion and a different view in line with alignment. And I would like to praise the mayor and budget chair for focusing on the city of Los Angeles. We will update more in the coming weeks.”
The council voted 11-2 last week to advance the budget resolution. This reflects the changes they made to the initial proposal on the base. Council members John Lee and Traci Park opposed the revised spending plan, but Niya Raman and Monica Rodriguez were absent during the vote.
Bass initially called for 1,647 layoffs and the elimination of more than 1,000 vacant seats as part of its plan to deal with the deficit. To further reduce layoffs, city officials are considering moving employees to their own sectors, such as the Department of Water and Power, airports and ports, which are not funded by the general fund but rather funded by the proceeds generated by the business.
While organized city employees were aware of efforts to reduce layoffs, some say the loss of position is likely to dramatically reduce essential services and increase debt in the upcoming fiscal year.
An estimated 647 city workers could still be cut, complicating the operation of a variety of sectors, particularly civil rights, equity and youth development.
Charles Leon, the regional coordinator of service employees, was the regional coordinator for United Nations Local 721. He called for open discussions to improve service delivery and promote career opportunities in historically underserved communities.
“This discussion needs to start now, not a better time in an unexpected future,” Leon said.
SEIU Local 721, representing some urban workers, is part of a coalition of Los Angeles City Unions, including US Federation, county and city employee 3090, Teamsters and Workers International.
It represents more than 10,000 city employees, including North American Union local 777 and trade in the LA/OC building.
Important aspects of the revised spending plan include money for 240 new police officers next year, down from the mayor’s proposed 480. 58 new employees at the Los Angeles Fire Department are also cut from 227 proposed by Bass.
Overall, police and fire departments are expected to see an operating budget increase year-on-year.
The council also reduced spending on Bass’ signature homeless program within SAFE.
The deficit is the result of excessive spending, costly liability payments, tax revenue reductions, labor contracts, and fire recovery.
The city is expected to cover $250 million through a labor agreement between 2025-26. The city must adopt a new budget before it begins next year, starting on July 1st.
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